Scottish achievements in Infection Control are something to be proud of. The national target to reduce Clostridium Difficile Infection (CDI), together with the work of the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group, has resulted in the lowest CDI levels since monitoring began, with a seventy-one per cent decrease recorded. MRSA infection numbers are also down by thirty-seven per cent. The Scottish Safety Patient Programme has had astonishing results – there were no central line infections reported during the last audit in March 2011 and a seventy-three per cent decrease across the period. Whole units have gone lengths of time without a single infection; across the country hospitals are setting new standards.

The challenge that faces healthcare professionals is to now push on from here and continue to deliver results which astound. Despite these significant achievements in infection control over recent years, the current economic environment is a threat to consolidation and continued progress. In order to achieve ambitious infection control targets within this environment, careful thought must be given to the interface between management, support services and clinical staff, with a clear view of potential patient outcomes.

This Holyrood magazine conference will focus on how professionals from across public services can maintain and improve infection control under cost restraint.

Key learning points will include:

• Appreciating the less tangible effects of spending reductions (reduced spends elsewhere – cleaning, audits, inspections)
• How can recent technological developments support infection control
• Applying cost-benefit analysis to infection control programmes and tools
• How Lean and other efficiency methodologies can help to maintain progress
• How are new antibiotics funded, what timescales are involved, and how can progress be made under cost restraint
• How infection control will evolve with the shift in care to the community
• What networks and support structures need to be put in place to support this shift
• How to maintain infection control as a local and national priority