Hospitals' bug target is missed

High superbug rates have forced hospital bosses to put controversial plans to break free of Government control on hold.

Bosses at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust failed to meet their targets on reducing cases of MRSA.

The trust had hoped to win "go-it-alone" Foundation Trust status later this year, but will now have to wait until at least spring 2009. A total of 46 cases of MRSA were uncovered across its three hospitals in West Bromwich, Birmingham and Rowley Regis over the last year, compared with a target of 33.

The trust said today that the criteria for achieving the status had changed over the last year and stressed it had reduced superbug levels by around 30 per cent in the last year.

But a report to the trust board by Richard Kirby, the man heading up the bid, said there were a number of factors that had led it to "update" its timetable.

"Applicants for foundation trust status must have consistently achieved infection targets in order to receive approval," he said.

"Although the trust delivered a major reduction in MRSA cases in 2007/8 compared with 2006/7, we did not meet our end of year target."

Brian Childs a leading fundraiser for the GI Blues, which raises cash for research into types of cancer, is one of the critics against the trust's application to become self-governing.

Health chiefs claim that by becoming a foundation trust, people will have a greater say in the service on offer and they are asking local people for their opinion.

But Mr Childs has argued that 3,500 people have signed a petition opposing the plans and want things to stay as they are.

"I have spoken directly to patients, carers and visitors at Sandwell Hospital and the majority had no idea of the proposed changes," he said.

"When informed of the proposals a large majority, more than 95 per cent were against them, although many thought it was a waste of time opposing it, as it would be a done deal."