Welsh minister under pressure over 'superbugs'

Cardiff's health minister has come under pressure to publish more information on the incidence of "superbug" infections in Welsh hospitals.

Amid continuing concern over MRSA infections, both Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Conservatives called for greater transparency.

Jane Hutt, the minister with responsibility for healthcare in Wales, was urged to publish a breakdown of cases showing infection rates in individual hospitals.

Ieuan Wyn Jones, the nationalist leader in the assembly, said the minister's refusal to publish more details showed her to be "out of touch and arrogant".

"In view of the growing concern about MRSA, Welsh patients are entitled to know what the figures are," he said.

"The high incidence of MRSA in our hospitals is a scandal.

"We will support measures to reduce the appalling high figures. But we need to know which hospitals have the worst records, so patients can make informed choices about their treatment."

Jones also warned that the minister was "living on borrowed time".

That warning was echoed by the Tories, who said that while the Westminster government had set clear targets for reducing MRSA there had been no matching Welsh pledge to publish infection rates.

"The NHS must meet standards of infection control, hygiene and cleanliness, while patients must receive the information needed to hold the NHS accountable for providing a clean and safe environment," said the party.

And Jonathan Morgan, the Conservative health spokesman in the assembly, said there was "a huge number" of issues to be addressed.

"We want to see infection control teams with the power to close dirty beds or wards, while staff must be given appropriate training in infection control," he added.

"The Wales-wide roll-out of a new matrons system will also bring much-needed benefits for ward management and cleanliness."