Shame of the filthy hospital wards

One in four hospitals is so unhygienic it is putting its patients' lives at risk, it is revealed today.

Ninety-nine out of 394 English NHS trusts are breaching a Hygiene Code brought in to combat an increase in hospital-acquired infections such as MRSA.

A push to increase respect for patients' dignity has also faltered, according to the independent research. The Healthcare Commission watchdog is publishing figures today as part of an annual 'health check' of English NHS trusts.

Around a quarter are failing to meet at least one of the three standards laid down by the Hygiene Code introduced last October.

These measure a trust's success in cutting hospital-acquired infections, decontaminating devices and improving general cleanliness. Seven trusts admitted to failing to meet all three.

It is the first time trusts have been required to report their adherence to the Code, which was hailed by health ministers as the best hope of cutting soaring infection levels in hospitals.

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More than 100,000 patients contract hospital-acquired infections every year - costing the NHS £1 billion.

One in every 250 death certificates now cites the C.difficile superbug as a contributory or main factor, with one in 500 mentioning MRSA.

There are fears the survey has underestimated the problems, because it relies on trusts to provide reliable information.

Anna Walker, chief executive of the Healthcare Commission, said one in five trusts would receive a snap inspection which could result in its ratings being adjusted. This process previously found half were lying about their compliance with the code.

She said trusts were 'putting their hands up' - which explained the worsening hygiene figures - because they knew standards were getting tougher.

She added: "This shows boards really examining their own performance - it is a positive development."

But Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said: "It is wholly unacceptable that one in four hospitals are still failing to meet required hygiene standards. There has to be a cultural change within hospitals.

"Three-quarters of hospitals are successfully implementing effective measures - there is no excuse for others not to follow.

"Hospital staff should treat failure to comply with hygiene standards as a very serious issue, akin to gross misconduct."

Katherine Murphy, of the Patients' Association, added: "These figures are totally unacceptable, especially after hospital hygiene was supposed to become a priority."

Tory health spokesman Andrew Lansley added: "The one in four yet to meet the code need to realise that it is an imperative, not an option."

A Department of Health spokesman said: "Where there is evidence of a problem, it is important that individual organisations ensure that they have plans and processes in place to improve.

"The Healthcare Commission's review process will help to diagnose the problem and enable the trust to develop solutions."

If you want to know how your local health trust is performing, the details are available at www.healthcarecommission.org.uk