Health Secretary John Reid is expected to set the NHS a target to slash rates of the MRSA superbug by half.
The target, which is likely to become one of Labour’s toughest tests if it wins a third term in government, will require a major revamp of NHS hygiene standards.
It is the first time that hospitals have been set a firm target specifically aimed at cutting rates of the potentially fatal infection.
Chris Beasley, the new chief nursing officer said all staff covered by Agenda for Change, the new NHS pay scheme, would have to show they were able to reduce the risk of infections linked to healthcare.
