The responses to the consultation process on the establishment of the Care Environment Inspectorate will be published on the NHS Quality Improvement Scotland website.

NHS Orkney has confirmed that all new staff receive a two hour face-to-face infection control session as part of their induction training. The training is delivered by clinical staff and includes sessions on how infection spreads, the different types of infection, how infection is controlled and hand hygiene. In addition, 170 staff have, in the past 12 months, accessed a healthcare associated infection online module that is divided into five tutorials. This covers the background to infection control and healthcare associated infection, the standard precautions that all staff should take, hand hygiene, protocols for segregation of waste and linen and decontamination protocols. These staff represent 31% of total headcount within NHS Orkney. Forty-seven members of staff (16% of eligible head count) have also completed the Cleanliness Champion Training programme, which is an in-depth infection control training module that requires 20 hours of study, mentorship and sign off of a portfolio of work.

During, and since the outbreak, face-to-face training on Clostridium difficile has also been delivered to staff. This has covered the epidemiology of the organism, the importance of infection control principles, case management, surveillance, information for families and hand hygiene protocols. This training was delivered within the ward setting and the percentages of staff involved is presented in the following table:

Ward	% Staff
Piper Ward	99%
Male Ward	75%
Female Ward	88%
Ninian Ward	85%
Macmillan	60%
Renal Unit	100%
Day Surgery	100%
Theatre	80%
Maternity	80%

 

Twenty-two toxin positive specimens were sent by NHS Orkney to NHS Grampian. The Consultant Medical Microbiologists within NHS Grampian decide on which toxin positive samples are cultured for Clostridium difficile based on clinical details, outbreaks and severity of illness.

Of the 22 toxin positive specimens sent to NHS Grampian by NHS Orkney, nine were identified as culture positive and were forwarded to the national reference laboratory for typing.

The Airdrie to Bathgate Railway improvement is currently planned to open on 12 December 2010 which is in line with the original schedule given by the project sponsors, Network Rail.

Interviews for the post of Chief Executive of the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate will take place on Friday 8 May 2009 the earliest practicable date for the selection panel to meet. The date on which the new chief inspector takes up post will be confirmed following the selection process.

The Chief Inspector of the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate will be supported by regional inspectors and associated inspectors, including members of the public, and a range of specialists and experts reflecting the need to ensure that appropriate standards in the care environment, with regards to healthcare associated infection, are being achieved.

The post of Chief Inspector of the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate was advertised in The Herald and The Scotsman on 24 March 2009 and the Sunday Herald and Scotland on Sunday on 29 March 2009, with a closing date of 6 April 2009. The post was also advertised in S1Jobs.com and the NHS (SHOW) website and internally in the NHS.

This information is not held centrally.

However, information provided in boards'' fatal accident inquiry action plans indicates the following liaison nurses for people with a learning disability are in post.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran	3 acute liaison nurses
NHS Borders	1 acute liaison nurse
NHS Fife	1 acute liaison nurse
NHS Forth Valley	1 acute liaison nurse
NHS Grampian	1 acute liaison nurse
NHS Highland	1 acute liaison nurse
NHS Lanarkshire	1 acute liaison nurse
NHS Lothian	2 acute liaison nurses
NHS Tayside	Consultant nurse with 50% clinical time for acute liaison

 

These plans also indicate other areas are considering the appointment of liaison nurses or other ways of delivering better care in general and acute hospitals.

We have no information on where the current posts are based.

The post of Chief Inspector of the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate was advertised on 24 March 2009. Interviews will be held on Friday 8 May 2009, the earliest practicable date for the selection panel to meet.

The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate will be accountable to report to Scottish ministers through the board of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland. The reports, findings and recommendations of the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate will be made public.