Written question asked by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour) on Monday, 12 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 September 2004. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 September 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assistance has been given since 19th March 1997 to the (a) development and (b) use in hospitals of new (i) paints and (ii) cleaning products able to kill known microbes; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance has been given since 19 March 1997 to the (a) development and (b) use in hospitals of new (i) paints and (ii) cleaning products able to kill known microbes; and if he will make a statement. [184418] Miss Melanie Johnson: The choice of paints and cleaning products for use in hospitals is decided locally by individual national health service trusts. We have set up a rapid review process to assess products that make claims about their efficacy to prevent or control healthcare associated infections. However, products to destroy these micro-organisms are already available and it is the consistent use of good infection control practice that needs to be improved.

Secondary information