Written question asked by Lord Boswell of Aynho (Conservative) on Thursday, 8 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 December 2005. It was answered by Jane Kennedy (Labour) on Monday, 9 January 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Latex Allergy

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements she has made to monitor response by NHS trusts to the National Patient Safety Organisation's recent information notice on latex allergy.

Answer: The National Patient Safety Agency's (NPSA) patient safety information on protecting patients with an allergy associated with latex was issued to national health service trusts on 26 May 2005. As it built on existing guidance, this served as a reminder to NHS organisations to put in place policies regarding latex. The deadline for the completion of the recommended action is 27 January 2006.The information was issued via the Department's safety alert broadcast system (SABS) which is a means of electronically issuing nationally endorsed safety guidance to the NHS.There are a number of measures to monitor responses by NHS trusts to the National Patient Safety Organisation's recent information notice on latex allergy. These include the following:"SABS will receive feedback from relevant trusts on their compliance with the action required.""The NPSA intend will be undertaking an e-mail sample survey in May 2006.""The Healthcare Commission will be reviewing and assessing NHS organisations against core standard Cl which requires them to ensure that patient safety notices, alerts and other communications concerning patient safety which require action are acted upon within required timescales. Trusts are required to submit self-declarations on performance against this standard (and other core standards) in April 2006."

Secondary information