The Scottish Government has published a national strategy to prevent and control infection across health and social care. It says this is the first integrated strategy of its kind among the UK nations.

Care homes are included for the first time. The strategy places infection prevention within the relationship between hospital services, community care and social care.

Government modelling estimates 7,500 healthcare associated infections and £46.4 million in annual costs. It says a ten per cent reduction could release 5,800 bed days.

Those projected benefits depend on the assumptions in the modelling and on delivery through services. The strategy provides a national direction rather than a guarantee of a particular reduction.