Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 10 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 February 2003. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Monday, 24 February 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the implications of hospital acquired infections for delayed discharge rates; and what representations he has received from care homes refusing to take residents from NHS trusts who have MRSA. - (Holding answer 13 February 2003).

Answer: Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the implications of hospital acquired infections for delayed discharge rates; and what representations he has received from care homes refusing to take residents from NHS trusts who have MRSA. [97691] Jacqui Smith: [holding answer 13 February 2003]: Data on the impact of hospital acquired infections on discharge from hospital are limited. However, it is estimated1 that patients who acquire an infection in hospital remain in hospital on average an extra 11 days. We have not received evidence that refusal to take patients because of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant problem. MRSA is not a contraindication to admission to a residential or nursing home and a Department of Health leaflet, entitled "MRSA--What nursing and residential homes need to know", provides advice on this topic. 1. The Socio-economic Burden of Hospital Acquired Infection PHLS1999, also available at www. doh.go v. uk/ha/costs, htm

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 97691; 400 c367-8W;400 c365W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Care homes Admissions Discharges Hospitals Infectious diseases Hospital beds MRSA
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk