Alerts have been raised concerning infection control numbers falling below their expected trajectory at a Hertfordshire NHS trust, as highlighted in a recent report. Data for November 2025 shows a concerning level of hospital-acquired infections, with 42 cases reported. West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, responsible for Watford General Hospital, St Albans City Hospital, and Hemel Hempstead Hospital, is at the center of these concerns. The majority of the infections reported can be attributed to flu outbreaks in medical wards.
The comprehensive performance report for the period revealed an increased number of reported incidents causing patient harm in the last few months, escalating steadily from 379 in August to 455 in November. Despite a marginal dip in October 2025, where 475 incidents were reported, an upward trajectory is discernible. Of these incidents, 62 were classified as causing significant, i.e., ‘moderate or higher,’ levels of patient harm. Remarkably, in these 62 incidents, 42 involved hospital-acquired infections, which were primarily flu outbreaks within the medical wards.
For the West Herts Teaching Hospitals Trust, maintaining stringent infection control remains a challenge. However, the trust has been active in implementing measures to reduce the spread of infections, including increased cleaning efforts which have already shown promising results in infection control.
The patient’s multidisciplinary team, infection control, and the antimicrobial pharmacist review all reported cases of harm under the Patient Safety Incident Reporting Framework. With a firm commitment to infection prevention and control, the trust has introduced Ultraviolet (UV) cleaning technology and increased the use of Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour (HPV) since April 2025. A new cleaning contractor has also been employed for the purpose.
On the clinical side, teams are proactively focusing on infection prevention by promptly reviewing antibiotics, shifting from intravenous to oral antibiotics, and reassessing medicines that elevate the risk of C difficile. Patients, too, are actively involved in infection prevention by sharing feedback on the use of hand hygiene facilities, which is taken into account in each clinical area’s monthly hand hygiene audit.
Despite the present challenges, the stringent steps taken by the trust underscore its commitment to providing a safe and hygienic environment within its hospitals.