---

Ministry of Defence

Answer

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) advice has been given and (b) precautions are taken against the spread of MRSA in military ambulances; and if he will make a statement. [216397] Mr. Caplin: The majority of secondary care for armed forces personnel is provided at Ministry of Defence hospital units within host NHS hospitals. Ambulances used for transfer fall under the local health authority and will adhere to the procedures and precautions laid down by the local health authority. Some military ambulances are retained by armed forces medical centres. Guidelines to prevent the spread of infection are provided at a single service level. These include staff protection and ambulance disinfection. The guidelines are in line with the current procedures recommended by the local health authorities. Ambulances are also used by the armed forces for transfer of a small number of patients in Cyprus and Gibraltar. These ambulances follow the same infection control procedures as the UK based medical centres with staff referring to the local infection control manuals supplied by the single service infection control teams in the UK. A local infection control nurse is on hand to provide immediate support and advice where necessary. MRSA has not been identified as a major problem for troops returning from military operations abroad. Nevertheless, when operating in field conditions staff are instructed on the importance of preventing the spread of any infection and are given specific guidelines to follow to prevent the spread of infection relevant to the particular theatre. Ambulances on operations are cleaned as per single service guidelines on the decontamination of equipment.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

216397; 431 c654-5W;431 c650-1W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Armed forces Ambulance services Disease control MRSA Vehicles

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk