A HIT-SQUAD to prevent the spread of infections such as MRSA in the community has been set up on Wearside.
A five-strong team will teach patients and NHS workers how to help keep infections out of their homes, doctors and dental surgeries, health centres, pharmacies, and opticians.
It will also work with patients and staff to draw up tougher measures to
combat healthcare-related infections.
People were being given a chance to have their say on the issue at public events in Houghton today and Sunderland tomorrow.
The new team consists of dental practice manager, Cheryl Anderson, infection control nurse, Janet Farline, staff nurse, Doreen Hammond, patient representative, Nichola Summerville and clinical governance facilitator, Jill Hollis.
It has been set up by Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust (TPCT) as part of a national programme to tackle healthcare-related infections.
Janet said: "We are one of 10 teams across the country that is carrying out this work. Preventing healthcare-related infection is everyone's business.
"We aim to raise awareness of any issues about this and then work with patients and healthcare professionals to tighten-up infection prevention and control measures.
"We are circulating useful leaflets, including advice about effective hand washing, which is an essential part of preventing the spread of infections in the home as well as in primary care settings."
The new team will start by working with patients and primary care staff such as GPs, nurses, dentists, opticians, pharmacists and health centre staff, to find out how they think prevention of infection can be improved.
The findings will be used to introduce improved measures to minimise the spread of infection in community health services on Wearside.
Janet added: "We know that staff already take infection control very seriously. The aim of our team is to support and help primary care teams and the public to ensure that it remains a high priority."
Members can meet the team and find out more at an event in Sunderland tomorrow, outside Tesco, in The Bridges, between 9am and 6pm.
* For more information contact the team, tel: 529 7081 or 416 6880 ext. 277.
