Written question asked by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 25 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 April 2004. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Monday, 26 April 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what action his Department has taken in response to the incident in Middlesbrough regarding quarantining of surgical instruments. - Inc ref to "Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agents: safe working and the prevention of infection".

Answer: Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department has taken in response to the incident in Middlesbrough regarding quarantining of surgical instruments. [164614] Mr. Hutton: Guidance on the re-use of surgical instruments after brain biopsy is already published, in "Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agents: safe working and the prevention of infection". This guidance, endorsed by the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens, is available in the following location on the the Department's website: www.dh.gov.uk Policy and guidance Health and social care topics CJD CJD publications Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy agents: Safe working and the prevention of infection Additional guidance on the reuse of surgical instruments after brain biopsies is in preparation and will be published shortly.

Secondary information