Good and Bad News from Hillingdon Hospital

Firstly the good news
Both Mount Vernon Treatment centre and Bevan Ward are open and much appreciated by both staff and patients.

It is encouraging that there have been no cases of infection in Bevan Ward – single rooms and isolation remain the most powerful tools against infection.

The Treatment Centre is receiving out-patients as well as elective surgery patients, but the operating theatres are not yet being used to full capacity.


Now for the bad news
There were three cases of MRSA in January and two more in February making a total in year of 16 cases, four above target. Everyone was clearly devastated.

27 pages of the Board papers and most of the Board Meeting discussion were devoted to MRSA. Every case is documented and analysed in detail. All elective surgery patients are now pre-tested for this infection. Hand hygiene is closely monitored. Pressure sores are vigorously avoided. It is difficult to know what more could be done.


And no news on the Foundation Trust application
At the time of the Board meeting hopes were high that there would be an announcement within hours – but these hopes were dashed by silence. Until such an announcement is made no one can be sure of the outcome.

Joan Davis