GPs 'don't get information on MRSA'

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Two thirds (62%) have not received any information on what to do if they suspect somebody has the bug, and those with the information have mostly requested it.

When asked to rate their knowledge of MRSA, 21% of GPs said good, 2% said excellent, 59% said fair and 17% said poor.

The poll of 169 doctors was carried out for GP newspaper.

The survey found that just over half (52%) of GPs back the idea of family doctors testing patients for the presence of community-acquired MRSA.

Community-acquired MRSA is MRSA occurring in somebody healthy who would not normally be expected to acquire the bug, according to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) definition.

This is somebody who has not recently been in hospital, undergone surgery or been prescribed antibiotics for a long time, which is known to make people susceptible to getting MRSA.

The bacteria can cause skin and soft tissue infections and sometimes pneumonia and bloodstream infections.

A wider range of antibiotics is available to treat community-acquired MRSA than MRSA acquired in hospital.