[Greens-Media] Auditor-General’s report highlights Victorian hospital superbug vulnerabilities

[Colleen.Hartland at parliament.vic.gov.au]

Auditor-General’s report highlights Victorian hospital superbug 
vulnerabilities 

Victorian Greens health spokesperson Colleen Hartland says an Auditor 
General’s report into infection prevention and control in public hospitals 
highlights the state’s vulnerability to superbugs. 

“This report shows that while there have been some improvements, we are 
ill-prepared to deal with superbugs and drug-resistant infections in our 
hospitals,” said Colleen Hartland. 

“A recent Senate inquiry found that successive governments have failed to 
adequately deal with the emerging threats of superbugs and drug resistant 
infections, this report confirms a new approach is required.”  *

“The Greens-initiated Senate Inquiry unanimously recommended an 
independent body be setup to deal with these issues.” 

“The Greens want to see an Australian Centre for Disease Control 
established, which would be modelled on the European CDC.” 

Today’s Auditor General’s report found that “In 2000, the department’s 
Guidelines for Infection Control Strategic Management Planning 
acknowledged the limited capability of small regional and rural hospitals 
to maintain antimicrobial stewardship systems, due to reduced access to 
infectious diseases expertise to inform the appropriate use of 
antibiotics. However, the department did not develop an initiative to 
target this known gap.” 

“If the Health Department isn’t dealing with gaps in regional and rural 
hospitals regarding the prevention and control of superbugs, this also 
presents risks for the whole state as patients are moved.” 

“Clearly the Health Department needs to put in place strategies to support 
regional and rural hospitals in addressing these critical concerns.” 

“The Victorian Government should support the Greens call for an 
independent Australian Centre for Disease Control.” 


* Recommendation 4 of Victorian Auditor-General report on Infection 
Prevention and Control in Public Hospitals: "That the Department of 
Health: accesses required expert advice and uses it to inform future 
strategy on infection control

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For more comment and media contact Colleen Hartland on 9689 6373
 
 
Colleen Hartland MLC
Western Metropolitan Region
E: colleen.hartland at parliament.vic.gov.au
P: 9689 6373
W: http://mps.vic.greens.org.au/


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Parliament of Victoria                                                                                                                    . 
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