Written question asked by Lord Lansley (Conservative) on Thursday, 17 July 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 July 2008. It was answered by Ann Keen (Labour) on Monday, 1 September 2008 on behalf of the Department of Health.

MRSA

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what dates changes to the measurement of his Department's target to halve MRSA rates by March 2008 were agreed; and on each date (a) what change was made and (b) which Minister approved the change.

Answer: The target to halve meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections by March 2008 was announced in November 2004. The measurement period was not set at that point. However, the Department worked with strategic health authorities from 2005 on the assumption that achievement of the target would be judged by performance in the first quarter after the target date, i.e. in the quarter April to June 2008. This position was formally agreed with Ministers in February 2007. At no point have we changed how we are measuring the target. It is being measured in the same way as other national targets.

Secondary information