From the
Chief Nursing Officer
Paul Martin RN, RHV, DMS, MBA
______________________________
St. Andrew's House
Edinburgh EH1 3DG
Telephone 0131-244-2314
Fax 0131-244-2042
Paul.Martin@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
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CNO(2005)2
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29 June 2005
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Addresses
For action
Chief Executives, NHS Boards
Chief Executive, NHS Education for Scotland
For information
Directors of Nursing
Directors of Public Health
Chief Executive, Quality Improvement Scotland
Clinical Director, Health Protection Scotland
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Further enquiries to:
On policy:
Mrs Susan Ferguson
Scottish Executive Health Department
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
EDINBURGH EH1 3DG
Susan.ferguson@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Tel: 0131-244 5669
Fax: 0131-244 2030
On professional issues:
Mrs Margaret Tannahill
Scottish Executive Health Department
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
EDINBURGH EH1 3DG
Tel: 0131-244 2490
Fax: 0131-244 2069
Margaret.tannahill@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Dear Colleague
HAI PUBLIC INFORMATION: MRSA
1. This letter reinforces the importance of public information and involvement in relation to healthcare associated infection (HAI) in Scotland. It also includes model public information on MRSA, which has been crystal marked by the Plain English Campaign.
2. The NHSScotland Code of Practice for the Local Management of Hygiene and Healthcare Associated Infection was published by the HAI Task Force in 2004. Section 3 of the Code stressed the importance of members of the public having access to high quality written information on HAI. Such information is key to enabling them to understand the issues and informing them of the steps being taken to control risks, and to help them to ask informed questions and contribute to control. In particular, the Code emphasised that this information should aim to:
increase knowledge and understanding;
correct misunderstandings;
raise awareness about the risk of HAI;
provide reassurance;
reduce anxiety;
give instructions on how to reduce the risks from HAI;
give information on what the staff/organisation should be doing about HAI;
in relation to written material, should support verbal information given by healthcare professionals.
3. Attached at
Annex A is a model text, developed by an HAI Task Force working group to provide general information on MRSA for members of the public. The text was awarded a crystal mark by the Plain English Campaign - an endorsement of its clarity. Although many of you have already published public information on MRSA, I hope that you will find this text useful when you come to revise existing information or develop new information.
Yours sincerely
PAUL MARTIN
Chief Nursing Officer