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Research into healthcare associated infection at
forefront of new institute
Cabinet Secretary visits
Institute of Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI)
The creation of the Institute of Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) has been hailed as a
significant step towards improving patient safety and responding to one of the most
significant problems in healthcare today.
The institute was established in 2011 thanks to a far-sighted collaboration between NHS
Ayrshire & Arran and the University of the West of Scotland (UWS). It has a base at
Crosshouse Hospital and another on the Ayr campus of UWS.
During a visit to Ayrshire on Monday 5 March 2012, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Cabinet
Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy, called in at Crosshouse Hospital to
meet the team of clinicians and academics who are collaborating on far-reaching research
into healthcare associated infection.
A first for both Scotland and the UK, the Institute is participating in high quality innovative
research on a collaborative basis across Scotland.
Professor Bob Masterton, Executive Medical Director of NHS Ayrshire & Arran and
Professor of HAI at the University of the West of Scotland, explained: “The establishment
of the institute is a landmark development in the field of research into healthcare
associated infection, and we anticipate that it will become a genuine centre of excellence
in this field, both nationally and internationally.”
The partnership between the local NHS and the university has been further strengthened
by the incorporation of the word ‘University’ into the names of Ayr and Crosshouse
Hospitals, renaming them University Hospital Ayr and University Hospital Crosshouse.

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Professor Masterton continued: “This amendment to the hospital names not only
underscores the commitment to research shared by the university and the health board,
but also raises the profile of the hospitals and the university and highlights their key
position in our local communities.”
Professor Seamus McDaid, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UWS, commented: “The
University Hospital model offers many benefits to both partners and we look forward to
building on the already strong relations we have with our NHS Ayrshire & Arran
colleagues.
“We will continue to develop education, continuing professional development, training and
research opportunities for future and current nurses and for other healthcare
professionals, on site and at the University campuses. NHS practitioners will also provide
training for UWS students, giving them deeper insight into the contemporary health sector.
“The most important benefit will be to patient care, enhanced by the practice of welleducated
health professionals and informed by research evidence. With the creation of
the new Institute of Healthcare Associated Infection – a very exciting development for us
all, and one which will bring potential health benefits at national and international levels -
professorial staff, jointly appointed by the University and NHS, will carry out research in a
range of areas in healthcare associated infection.
“This will aim to ensure that the prevalence of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) is
reduced; looking at the factors in the healthcare environment that contribute to the spread
of HAIs; and using information about the biology of HAIs to predict or prevent them. These
measures will be in line with international recommendations and best practice.

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“Partnership working is key to our activities. And that’s not just between academia and the
NHS, we’ll also be working with industry and government to maximise developments in
this arena.”
UWS is the only university with a campus in Ayrshire and is the largest School of Health,
Nursing and Midwifery in Scotland. The links between the University and the Health Board
are reinforced by the appointment of two shared key posts - the Professor of the Institute
and also a Professor of Midwifery, each of whom will have a particular focus on clinical
improvement.
Cabinet Secretary Nicola Sturgeon commented: “Scotland is making good progress in
reducing healthcare associated infections, with the most recent figures showing cases of
MRSA and MSSA were at their lowest ever level. But we need to maintain the pace of
improvement and creation of the Institute of Healthcare Associated Infection is an
excellent development. The institute will enable clinicians and academics to collaborate
and play their part in helping us tackle HAIs and enhancing patient safety in the process.”
ends
Date of release: Monday 5 March 2012
Photographs

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Dr Martin Cheyne, Chairman – Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board, Professor Seamus McDaid,
Principal and Vice Chancellor – University of the West of Scotland, Cabinet Secretary Nicola
Sturgeon MSP, Mrs Fiona McQueen, Executive Nurse Director – NHS Ayrshire & Arran and
Professor Bob Masterton, Executive Medical Director – NHS Ayrshire & Arran and Professor of
HAI at the University of the West of Scotland
050312hai14.jpg
Barbara Dyet of the Infection Control introduces the Cabinet Secretary to the ultraviolet light box
used to check hand hygiene

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Professor Seamus McDaid, Principal and Vice Chancellor – UWS, Paul Martin, Vice Principal
(International) and Executive Dean of Faculty of Education, Health and Social Sciences – UWS, Dr
Wai-yin Hatton, former Chief Executive – NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Professor Bill Stevely, former
Chairman – Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board, John Burns, Chief Executive – NHS Ayrshire & Arran
and Dr Ken Ferguson, Assistant Medical Director – NHS Ayrshire & Arran
For more information contact:
May Smith
Head of Communications
NHS Ayrshire & Arran
Crosshouse Hospital
Kilmarnock KA2 0BE
Telephone: 01563 826107
Out of hours: 07769 648975
may.smith@aaaht.scot.nhs.uk
www.nhsayrshireandarran.com
www.facebook.com/nhsaaa
on Twitter @NHSaaa

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Date of release:
For further media enquiries about this topic, please contact:
NHS Ayrshire & Arran
Communications Department
Telephone: 01563 826107
Out of Hours: 07769 648 975
www.nhsayrshireandarran.com
www.facebook.com/nhsaaa