Written question asked by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 29 February 2000. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Tuesday, 29 February 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, If he will make a statement on MRSA and the advice his Department gives on combating and containing it. (Failed OPQ).

Answer: Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on MRSA and the advice his Department gives on combating and containing it. [110874] Yvette Cooper: MRSA is the antibiotic resistant form of Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium which is carried harmlessly on the skin by at least a third of the population. Action is in hand to improve the surveillance of MRSA and also to strengthen arrangements for the prevention and control of all hospital acquired infections, including new standards on infection control and a programme of action with a timetable to improve control arrangements.

Secondary information