Govtoday is proud to announce the forthcoming Reducing HCAIs National Conferences and Exhibitions, continuing the renowned series under the Health and Social Care Reform Series.

Reducing HCAIs 2012 – Evaluating Progress: Analysing the Threats the 4th Annual National Conference and Exhibition will once again be held at the prestigious Brewery Conference Centre at the heart of London on the 14th March 2012.

This year’s Evaluating Progress: Analysing the Threats Conference will focus on the continuing battle with Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs), whilst analysing progress to date and highlighting the emerging threat that is Antimicrobial Resistance one of the most serious threats ever faced by the healthcare profession.

There has been a significant reduction in some HCAIs, specifically MRSA and Clostridium Difficile; However with figures showing that within the European Union over 4 million patients contract a hospital acquired infection each year with these infections leading to 16 million extra days in hospital, accounting for an estimated 37,000 deaths and at a cost to the NHS of approximately £1 billion per year, which does not account for the pain and suffering caused to patients and families; much is to be done!

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised the impact and threat to Public Health that is Antimicrobial Resistance, calling the world to action and placing this at the forefront of the organisations work for 2011. World Health Day held on the 7th April 2011, was conducted under the theme ‘No action today – no cure tomorrow’ highlighting the urgent and consolidated efforts that are required to avoid regressing to the pre-antibiotic era.

Furthermore the World Health Organisation reinforced the theme with the introduction of a six-point policy package for Governments to combat the spread of antimicrobial resistance:

1. Develop and implement a comprehensive, financed national plan
2. Strengthen surveillance and laboratory capacity
3. Ensure uninterrupted access to essential medicines of assured quality
4. Regulate and promote rational use of medicines
5. Enhance infection prevention and control
6. Foster innovation and research and development for new tools

Reducing HCAIs 2012 – Evaluating Progress: Analysing the Threats will examine the six-point policy package, question Government direction and provide an invaluable platform for key stakeholders, to listen, discuss and debate the fundamentals of patient safety, antimicrobial resistance, whilst sharing best practice and successes to-date.