AN NHS task group set up to reduce the amount of patients in Worcestershire contracting the Clostridium difficile, or C-diff, infection has been shortlisted for a national award.

The Worcestershire Health Economy C-diff Task and Finish Group – which is formed of representatives from a range of NHS and health bodies in the county – was set up in September 2012 and has been nominated for the Infection Prevention Society’s National Team of the Year award.

In the 12 months from April 2013 there were 40 per cent fewer cases of the infection, which is most commonly contracted in hospitals and care homes, than in the previous year.

Sandra Brennan, director of nursing at Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust – which runs community hospitals and a range of other non-emergency care in the county, said she was “delighted” by the accolade.

“This is a really positive example of the whole health system here in Worcestershire coming together,” she said.

“It was acknowledged that to reduce instances of C-diff in our services meant everyone working together.”

Lindsey Webb, chief nursing officer at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust – which runs Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital – said the group would work to continue to bring the figures down.

The awards will be presented at the Infection Prevention Society’s annual conference in October.