Hospital chiefs should be sacked over poor hygiene standards in an attempt to crack down on the deadly MRSA superbug, the Dáil Health Committee heard today.
Mr John Moloney, chair of the committee, said new legislation should be brought in to deal with dirty hospitals where high levels of the MRSA bug and other infections are found.
"Tough measures need to be taken if we are to stamp out the scourge of superbugs in our hospitals, though large fines should be ruled out as they may have a possible impact on patient care," the Fianna Fáil TD said.
Mr Moloney said the ultimate sanction for hospitals found to have breached hygiene standards should be the removal of senior officials.
"Tough decisions need to be taken to tackle healthcare-associated infections and dirty hospitals, but they must be taken by Irish healthcare specialists in partnership with patients, the public and their staff," he said.
Mr Moloney said the committee would be discussing the issue at upcoming meetings. He warned all relevant groups would be requested to appear before the committee to discuss solutions to the hygiene problem.
Minister for Health Mary Harney has told the Dáil there were 553 cases of the MRSA superbug found in health facilities in 2004 and 145 cases in the first three months of this year.
She has promised to publish the results of a hygiene audit of each hospital in the state.
PA