Written question asked by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 December 2005. It was answered by Jane Kennedy (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 December 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Nurses

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to ensure that nursing staff uniforms can be laundered at a temperature high enough to destroy (a) MRSA and (b) other viruses.

Answer: Health Service Guidance 95(18) sets out the arrangements for the handling and laundering of linen and states the importance of securing the disinfection of used and infected linen, including uniforms. The guidance recommends that a wash at 65 degrees Celsius (0C) for not less than 10 minutes, or at 710C for not less than three minutes, is more than adequate for uniforms. Most uniforms can be safely processed at this temperature; indeed white garments manufactured to a correct specification can safely be processed at 850C provided a cool down facility is incorporated within the washing process.In relation to washing uniforms at home, the advice from microbiologists is that a wash at a domestic clothes washer's temperature of 600C, followed by a rinse cycle, is more than adequate. The main point is the enormous dilution factor of the wash rather than the actual killing of the bacteria. The use of detergent will dislodge soil containing bacteria.Health Service Guidance 95(18) is currently under review which will clarify the expectations of NHS organisations in terms of laundering uniforms. This work is being supported by scientific research, and will include recommendations on temperatures for washing uniforms and other linen.

Secondary information