Ministers have taken their “eye off the ball” by not recording 80 per cent of the types of infection that occur in NHS hospitals, MPs say today.

Infections and deaths linked to the two most common bugs, MRSA and Clostridium difficile, are strictly monitored by the NHS and rates have come down in recent years.

But ministers have chosen to ignore recommendations to monitor other infections, such as avoidable surgical-site infections and pneumonias, the Commons Public Accounts Committee said.

The number of people dying from all “superbugs” in hospital is not subject to mandatory reporting, despite evidence that some infections are on the rise.

The committee’s chairman, Edward Leigh, acknowledged that progress had been made in reducing MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and C. difficile cases.

But he added that the health agencies lack robust data on the extent and risks of 80 per cent of the bugs linked to hospital care.

Mr Leigh, the Conservative MP for Gainsborough, added: “Healthcare-associated infections cost the NHS more than £1 billion per year and can lead to serious disability and in some cases death.

“This is the third time that this Committee has reported on the subject and it is disappointing that the Department of Health still has not taken on board a number of key recommendations.”

He added that the Department had achieved significant reductions in MRSA bloodstream and C. difficile infections, for which it set national targets.

“But, in so doing, it has taken its eye off the ball regarding all other healthcare-associated infections — which actually constitute most by far (four-fifths) of all infections.

“The best available evidence is that other — just as deadly but also avoidable — infections, such as surgical site infections and pneumonias, have increased.”

The Committee added that an electronic prescribing system should be introduced to ensure that antibiotics were used effectively.

Explore Health News

• Swine flu

Times Recommends

• Iran arrests relatives of opposition leaders
• Banksy rival has final word in art feud
• Electrician travels 175 miles to change bulb