Air-conditioning and ventilation firms with products or innovations that could help prevent the spread of MRSA and similar infections are being asked to join an NHS initiative.

The Smart Solutions programme aims to assess and adopt technologies that are either not used, or have not been widely taken up, in the NHS.

Project director Bryan Griffiths said: “Some sectors may prove to be a particularly good source of ideas – especially those such as air-conditioning and ventilation, which may have innovative products or have developed clean room technologies.

“The Smart Solutions programme is an opportunity for these companies to have their products tested for healthcare use and it potentially offers a fast-track route to becoming a supplier to hospitals and healthcare organisations across the UK.”