Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Tuesday, 22 November 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 24 November 2011. It was answered by Simon Burns (Conservative) on Tuesday, 29 November 2011 on behalf of the Department of Health.

MRSA

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to protect public health from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Answer: The Government continue to encourage the national health service to operate a zero tolerance approach to all avoidable methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections.The NHS Operating Framework 2012-13 (published 24 November 2011) includes a MRSA objective which will require those organisations who have the highest rates of MRSA bloodstream infections to make the largest reductions.In this way we will continue to build on the significant progress already made by the NHS and move the performance of all organisations towards the level of the best and, consequently reduce infection rates further.

Secondary information