UNISON, the UK's largest health union, welcomed the regional funding announced today for deep cleaning hospitals, but called for more day-to-day cleaning to eradicate superbugs.

Karen Jennings, UNISON Head of Health, said:

"The deep cleaning of hospitals will be welcomed by patients, staff and visitors alike. People are genuinely fearful about going into hospital because of the deadly grip of superbugs on our hospitals.

"However, deep cleaning should be used to kick-start better routine day-to-day cleaning of hospital wards and departments. To do that effectively the Government needs to set recruitment targets for NHS cleaners to help stamp out infections such as MRSA and C Difficile.

"Government targets would speed up the urgently-needed return of cleaners to our wards, so that patients and the public see a very visible and reassuring presence. "Cleaning staff should be part of the infection control team and have training in 'clever cleaning'. That means targeting danger areas including 'near touch' sites around a patient's bed, buzzer, locker and curtains."

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