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, whether the isolation procedures set down by the Department to combat MRSA and which were operative as at 19th March 1997 are still operative; when the procedures were last brought to the attention of hospitals; and if he will make a statement; in what circumstances hospitals are required to provide strict isolation for MRSA sufferers; and if he will make a statement. - Including ref to Winning Ways - Working together to reduce healthcare associated infection in England.

Answer: Andrew Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether the isolation procedures set down by the Department to combat MRSA and which were operative as at 19 March 1997 are still operative; when the procedures were last brought to the attention of hospitals; and if he will make a statement; [184411] (2) in what circumstances hospitals are required to provide strict isolation for MRSA sufferers; and if he will make a statement. [184413] Miss Melanie Johnson: Decisions on isolation are made locally. The guidance issued in 1995 is still in place and we require national health service organisations to regularly assess their needs for isolation facilities. Health Service Circular 2000/002 on the management and control of hospital infection, required trusts to undertake a risk assessment to determine appropriate provision of isolation facilities within each trust. "Winning Ways--Working together to reduce healthcare associated infection in England", published in December 2003 requires chief executives to ensure that there is appropriate provision of isolation facilities within their healthcare facilities.

Secondary information