MRSA & Families Network
5th March, 2007.
MRSA and Families Network, Donegal branch hosted a conference in the Silver Tassie Hotel, Letterkenny on the 2nd and 3rd of March. The theme of the conference was “Breaking the Wall of Silence”. The conference was very well attended and the delegates were treated to a wealth of information on the topics of MRSA and other hospital acquired infections.
Mr. Enda Bonner, the county mayor welcomed delegates on the Friday evening. This session was devoted to the MRSA and Families organization, and was chaired by local member Mr. Thomas Francis. Margaret Dawson, founder, described what had inspired her to set up the organization, and Dr. Teresa Graham, Central Council member gave a presentation setting out the aims and strategies adopted. This was followed by a discussion involving the delegates attending.
On Saturday morning, Mayor Bonner again opened proceedings which were once more in the capable hands of Thomas Francis in the chair. Eamon O’Ceallaigh, who is an award winning student in the local Gaelscoil, delivered an impressive address in Irish dealing with MRSA in Letterkenny General Hospital. Margaret Dawson welcomed delegates and speakers. Ms. Bernadette McFadden, who is a nurse manager consultant with the NHS spoke about the importance, from the nursing point of view, of putting the patient at the centre of the health service. She would like to see patients empowered to be involved in their own health care plans, and to be able to insist that health care professionals observe proper hygiene procedures.
Dr. Kevin Kelleher, who now has the responsibility of overseeing MRSA policies in the HSE, told the conference about the plans for tackling the infection nationally. He emphasized the current campaign to limit the use of antibiotics and announced a public awareness campaign which is to take place over the next two years. He also mentioned the Task Force which has recently been unveiled by Professor Drumm, and which, it is hoped, will reduce the incidence of MRSA by 20% over the next five years.
Mr. Paul Bergervoet, who is an Infection Control Practitioner in Deventer Hospital in Holland spoke about the problem of MRSA in that country –or, as he put it, the absence of the problem there. He described the ‘Search and Destroy’ policy which has been the approach of the Dutch health authorities for about twenty years, and which has resulted in Holland having the best record of infection control in Europe. The strict surveillance methods, prompt remedial action and openness which Paul told the conference about ensure that the Dutch system is the envy of many other countries. Paul also said that he and his colleagues are looking at new areas of potential infection risk, and have identified pig farmers and abattoir workers as belonging in this category.
Dr. Mary Hynes, Assistant National Director Quality Risk and Customer Care with the HSE gave a presentation concerning the Hygiene Audits which took place in 2005/2006. She demonstrated the remarkable improvements which took place between the first and second audit, and which were very welcome. She stressed that the improvements have not given rise to complacency; there is still room for more improvements. There are to be ongoing internal and external audits. The marking system has been changed from that used in the original hygiene audits.
In the afternoon, Professor Hilary Humphreys, consultant microbiologist, provided delegates with the history of the development of MRSA and a full and accessible explanation of what it is and what it does. He explained the various factors which contribute to the incidence of MRSA in Ireland, and the difficulties in dealing with it. He said that there is no quick fix, ad that given present conditions and policies, a reduction will happen only gradually, over a protracted period.
The presentation of Dr. Michael Mulhearne, Microbiologist at Letterkenny Hospital, dealt with the research which has been done on MRSA. He told the audience about the infection control team in Letterkenny hospital which he heads up, and the programme in place there. It is hoped that this programme will lead to an improvement in infection prevention and control.
Mr. Ian Simon, solicitor and legal advisor to MRSA and Families Network explained that when people have suffered injury in the way many of his clients have through MRSA, it is inevitable that legal action will ensue. He pointed out that a redress board has been refused by the Minister for Health and Children, and that difficulties persist in getting information from hospitals under the Freedom of Information Act. He spoke about the 1947 Health Act, under section 30 of which it is a criminal offence for health workers to knowingly allow infection to be spread from one patient to another. He called for that act to be updated to facilitate the enforcement of the SARI guidelines of 1995, 2005 and 2006. He said that MRSA can be classified as a biological agent and spoke about the implications this has for Health and Safety procedures.
Mr. Andrew Macey, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon in Sligo General Hospital used humour to explore the very serious subject of the campaign he has been waging to uphold and improve the conditions in which he has to deal with his patients. He spoke of the frustration and powerlessness he feels as a person who works at the coal face in the struggle against the leviathan which is the health care system. His photographs brought the problems of neglect and carelessness home to the delegates in a vivid manner. Mr. Macey said that he is not about to give up the battle.
Tony Kavanagh, Central Council member and MRSA casualty, gave the conference some heart-rending case-studies. He spoke of a young mother whose experience of MRSA had destroyed her marriage and her life. When he went back to check on her, he was directed to her grave. Another MRSA casualty had been humiliated and ejected from a hospital by a consultant because of the acquired infection. Because of these and other horror stories Tony is piloting an advocacy scheme which it is hoped will be adopted country wide by MRSA and Families Network so that patients and family members who want support will not longer have to face the system on their own.
Niall Blaney, T.D. concluded the meeting by reiterating the government’s policy on MRSA and outlining the steps the Minister for Health and Children has taken to tackle the problem.
In the course of the week-end MRSA and Families Network had a meeting with Brian Lenihan who is the minister with responsibility for children in the department, and who listened with interest to the concerns expressed. Members along with Paul Bergervoet were welcomed to Letterkenny hospital by the manager, Mr. Murphy. They met with the infection control team and had a look at some of the hospital facilities.
The conference was deemed very successful by the organization and by delegates, and tribute was paid to Rosemary Cassidy and the Donegal group members for all the hard work they had done. Noeleen Friel, the Central Council member who had worked with the Donegal group also came in for praise, and appreciation was expressed for the quality and expertise of the speakers. This conference is the latest step in the ongoing strategy of MRSA and Family Network to bring knowledge to its members and the general public, and to spread awareness of the persisting problem of MRSA and other hospital acquired infections.
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