Written question asked by Lord Lansley (Conservative) 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 preventative measures his Department has taken against the threat of vancomycin resistant staphylococcus aureus to the NHS; what research his Government has conducted into the treatment against vancomycin resistant staphylococcus aureus; what contingency plans he has in place to control the spread of vancomycin resistant staphylococcus aureus in NHS hospitals. - Including ref to Winning Ways - Working Together to Reduce Healthcare Associated Infection in England. (Holding answer 15 July 2004).

Answer: Mr. Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what preventative measures his Department has taken against the threat of vancomycin resistant staphylococcus aureus to the NHS; [184324] (2) what research his Government have conducted into the treatment against vancomycin resistant staphylococcus aureus; [184325] (3) what contingency plans he has in place to control the spread of vancomycin resistant staphylococcus aureus in NHS hospitals. [184327] Miss Melanie Johnson :[holding answer 15 July 2004]: Minimising the development and spread of new strains such as vancomycin resistant staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) requires prudent prescribing of antibiotics as well as strict adherence to infection control measures. These measures are part of our action plan, "Winning Ways--Working Together to Reduce Healthcare Associated Infection in England". We are aware of three incidents of VRSA infection worldwide to date and all were susceptible to some alternative antibiotics. Hospital microbiology laboratories carry out sensitivity tests on their isolates and the health protection agency monitors isolates of staphylococcus aureus for vancomycin resistance to detect any new cases of VRSA and to ensure that these very rare microorganisms are not becoming more commonplace.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 184324;184325;184327; 424 c1098W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Antibiotics Hospitals Disease control Infectious diseases Bacterial diseases
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk