Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Liverpool University Hospitals Trust is committed to leading on, and supporting, initiatives to reduce healthcare associate infections. Good infection prevention and control (IPC) practice is essential to ensure that people who use the Trust’s services receive safe and effective care.

Effective IPC practices require the hard work and diligence of all grades of staff, clinical and non-clinical and must be applied consistently by everyone.

The publication of the Trust’s annual report is a requirement to demonstrate good governance and public accountability.

In addition, it highlights the role, function and reporting arrangements of the Director of Infection Prevention and Control (DIPC) and the Infection Prevention and Control team (IPCT).

This report consists of two parts: the performance related to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and exception reporting during 2022/23, and the broad plan of work for 2023/24 to reduce the risk of Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs).

Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust

At Liverpool Women’s University Hospital, infection prevention and control remain a fundamental priority in delivering safe, high-quality care. The Trust has established robust systems to monitor the effectiveness of infection prevention measures and track infection rates across all areas. Continuous improvement is central to our approach, and we are committed to learning from every review and incident to strengthen our practices and protect patients, staff, and visitors.

MRSA

MRSA is a resistant variant of the common skin commensal organism Staphylococcus aureus. Infection in a patient who carries MRSA on their skin is prevented by rigid adherence to standard policies for wound care, intravenous line and urinary catheter care.  

In 2024/25, the Trust reported one case of Meticillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) bacteraemia, which is in line with the target set by the Department of Health. The Trust has reported only three cases of this infection in the past 10 years. 

Clostridium difficile 

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is the most common cause of healthcare-associated diarrhoea in the UK and is often linked to antibiotic use. National mandatory reporting of this infection has been in place for several years. In 2024/25, the Trust reported two cases of C. difficile. 

Organism and Infection Surveillance 

Meticillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) screens are undertaken on patients who are transferred from other hospitals and on emergency and elective admissions (except day case surgery). Carbapenamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) screens are also undertaken on all patients in high risk groups. 

The Team also review and collect data on all infections throughout the Trust which includes Surgical Site surveillance

Outbreaks of infection 

There have been no major hospital-wide outbreaks of infection during 2024/25.