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: Screening

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what date he expects screening for MRSA for (a) elective and (b) emergency admissions to be introduced; and what assessment he has made of progress towards the objective in each case.

Answer: We will introduce meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) screening for all elective admissions by March 2009 and for all emergency admissions by 2011.The Operating Framework, which was published in December 2007, set out the priorities for the national health service for 2008-09. It put cleanliness and health care associated infections as one of five national priorities that require particular and sustained attention from primary care trusts, working with every organisation that provides care to national health service patients.As part of our ongoing discussions with the NHS, we are ensuring that the commitments set out in the framework are delivered.

Secondary information