Superbugs on the increase in care homes

Latest figures reveal that in 2005 there were 144 cases in which the bug C.difficile was mentioned as a cause of death in care homes.

This is up from 92 in 2004 and 57 the year before.

Despite the Government's claims that it is getting MRSA under control, the number of care home deaths from that infection rose from 87 to 146 between 2004 and 2005.

The figures are the tip of the iceberg, however, because in many cases older peoples' superbug infections are not identified.

If they are, many death certificates do not list superbugs as the cause of death - even when it is known to have been a contributory factor.

Last week, Health Secretary Alan Johnson promised £50million of extra funds to tackle superbugs in hospitals.

And the Healthcare Commission, the standards watchdog, has just embarked on its first spot checks on 120 trusts in England.

But Government targets to reduce superbug infections only cover hospitals, and critics say not enough is being done to stamp out the problem in care homes.

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said: "Care home residents are the forgotten victims of the rise in superbugs. This is both dangerous and wrong.

"Cases of MRSA and C.difficile in care homes have more than doubled in the last few years.

"Yet the Government has focused all its antisuperbug measures on hospitals.

"Care home residents move in and out of hospital - taking with them any infections.

"Any strategy to deal with hospital-acquired infections will not be effective unless care homes are also included.

"There has to be a zero tolerance approach to tackling superbugs across the board.

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

The Daily Mail has been highlighting the filthy condition of many care homes as part of its Dignity for the Elderly campaign.

Earlier this year, we revealed that hundreds had been given the lowest rating by inspectors - meaning thousands of residents are at risk of infections and malnutrition.

Homes can be placed in the "poor" category if there are low standards of cleanliness which have led to outbreaks of infection.

In all, 732 care homes in England were rated poor by the Commission for Social Care Inspection.

Of these, 43 were so bad that they had enforcement measures taken against them.

A spokesman for Age Concern said: "This increase in deaths from MRSA and C.difficile in care homes is a cause for concern.

"All care homes must make sure they are following the infection control guidelines issued by the Department of Health last year - and care home regulators need to ensure that this is happening."

The Department of Health said: "Every case of MRSA and C.difficile is one case too many and patients have the right to be treated in a safe, clean environment.

"We are working hard to bring down the rate of healthcare-acquired infections, and we have issued guidance to care homes to help them to manage MRSA safely and dispel myths surrounding it."