Bugwatch aims to address fears over healthcare-acquired infections

The Bugwatch surveys by the province's four health and social service councils are aimed at easing public concerns.

The independent watchdogs were set up by the government to represent the opinions of non-health professionals.

Volunteers will examine handwashing facilities on wards, laundry sorting and displays of advice to visitors.

Bugwatch begins at Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital on Monday and will cover eight main hospitals across Northern Ireland.

The councils will use their findings to support their work in representing the public about infection control.

Response to concern

Stella Cunningham, chief officer of the southern HSSC, said it was a response to increasing public concern about the rates of healthcare-acquired infections such as MRSA and clostridium difficile.

She said they aimed to address concerns by keeping a "watching brief on infection control".

"The exercise is a timely one given that the current consultation on the development of a regional infection control strategy is due to end," she said.

"We hope the results will feed into the strategy."

Ms Cunningham said although Bugwatch was not a scientific exercise, it was important to include the public in a greater partnership approach to controlling infection.