To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on MRSA prevention research in the last 12 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department has spent on MRSA prevention research in the last 12 months.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of NHS clinical staff who are carriers of MRSA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of NHS clinical staff who are carriers of MRSA.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's Clean Safe Care strategy for reducing MRSA infections and deaths.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of his Department's Clean Safe Care strategy for reducing MRSA infections and deaths.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to reduce levels of MRSA infections in hospitals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to reduce levels of MRSA infections in hospitals.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many death certificates on which (a) MRSA and (b) clostridium difficile were mentioned were issued in England and Wales in each of the last three years.

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many death certificates on which (a) MRSA and (b) clostridium difficile were mentioned were issued in England and Wales in each of the last three years.

I. Dear Colleague letter dated 31/07/2008 from Christine Beasley, Chief Nursing Officer, regarding MRSA screening. 4 p. II. Saving Lives: reducing infection, delivering clean and safe care. Screening for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonisation. A strategy for NHS trusts: a summary of best practice. 6 p.

I. Dear Colleague letter dated 31/07/2008 from Christine Beasley, Chief Nursing Officer, regarding MRSA screening. 4 p. II. Saving Lives: reducing infection, delivering clean and safe care. Screening for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonisation. A strategy for NHS trusts: a summary of best practice. 6 p.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice his Department has issued on the screening of patients for MRSA prior to admission into accident and emergency departments in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice his Department has issued on the screening of patients for MRSA prior to admission into accident and emergency departments in England.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he expects MRSA screening for all elective patients to be in place by March 2009.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he expects MRSA screening for all elective patients to be in place by March 2009.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of progress made towards meeting his Department's target for all elective admissions to hospitals to be screened for MRSA by March 2009; and what steps he takes to monitor such progress.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of progress made towards meeting his Department's target for all elective admissions to hospitals to be screened for MRSA by March 2009; and what steps he takes to monitor such progress.

I. The national specifications for cleanliness in the NHS. April 2007. 52 p. II. Code of practice for the prevention and control of Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs). January 2008. 44 p. III. Revised guidance on contracting for cleaning. December 2004. 78 p.

I. The national specifications for cleanliness in the NHS. April 2007. 52 p. II. Code of practice for the prevention and control of Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs). January 2008. 44 p. III. Revised guidance on contracting for cleaning. December 2004. 78 p.

Table showing Annual reports and rates of MRSA bacteraemia for the period April 2001 to March 2008. 3 p.

Table showing Annual reports and rates of MRSA bacteraemia for the period April 2001 to March 2008. 3 p.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients contracted MRSA in hospitals in South Staffordshire NHS Trust in each of the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients contracted MRSA in hospitals in South Staffordshire NHS Trust in each of the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what budget was allocated within the East of England strategic health authority to reduce MRSA in hospitals in the latest period for which figures are available.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what budget was allocated within the East of England strategic health authority to reduce MRSA in hospitals in the latest period for which figures are available.

Clean, safe care: reducing infections and saving lives. 40 p.

Clean, safe care: reducing infections and saving lives. 40 p.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients contracted MRSA in hospitals in West Hertfordshire in the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients contracted MRSA in hospitals in West Hertfordshire in the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have contracted MRSA in hospitals in Havering in the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients have contracted MRSA in hospitals in Havering in the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in eradicating MRSA infection in NHS hospitals.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in eradicating MRSA infection in NHS hospitals.

The Minister of State, Department of Health (Ben Bradshaw) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. On 11 August 2008, I published a consultation document, which is the latest stage in the development of the new system we are introducing for the regulation of health and adult social care. Changes...

The Minister of State, Department of Health (Ben Bradshaw) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement. On 11 August 2008, I published a consultation document, which is the latest stage in the development of the new system we are introducing for the regulation of health and adult social care. Changes...

On 11 August 2008 I published a consultation document, which is the latest stage in the development of the new system we are introducing for the regulation of health and adult social care. ““Changes to arrangements for regulating NHS bodies in relation to healthcare associated infections for 2009-10—A consultation for...

On 11 August 2008 I published a consultation document, which is the latest stage in the development of the new system we are introducing for the regulation of health and adult social care. ““Changes to arrangements for regulating NHS bodies in relation to healthcare associated infections for 2009-10—A consultation for...

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) deaths from and (b) cases of (i) clostridium difficile and (ii) MRSA there have been in each year since 1997, broken down by region.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) deaths from and (b) cases of (i) clostridium difficile and (ii) MRSA there have been in each year since 1997, broken down by region.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what date he expects screening for MRSA for (a) elective and (b) emergency admissions to be introduced; and what assessment he has made of progress towards the objective in each case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what date he expects screening for MRSA for (a) elective and (b) emergency admissions to be introduced; and what assessment he has made of progress towards the objective in each case.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what dates changes to the measurement of his Department's target to halve MRSA rates by March 2008 were agreed; and on each date (a) what change was made and (b) which Minister approved the change.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what dates changes to the measurement of his Department's target to halve MRSA rates by March 2008 were agreed; and on each date (a) what change was made and (b) which Minister approved the change.

I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Patel, on having tabled this Question and on the extremely powerful way in which he spoke to it. It is a question of the first importance for healthcare in our country. If we want a comparison to put the matter into proportion, almost three...

I congratulate the noble Lord, Lord Patel, on having tabled this Question and on the extremely powerful way in which he spoke to it. It is a question of the first importance for healthcare in our country. If we want a comparison to put the matter into proportion, almost three...

I thank my noble friend Lord Patel for this short but important debate. He chairs the National Patient Safety Agency, which campaigns to improve patient safety. What can be more important? One of its projects was cleanyourhands, a national campaign to promote better hand hygiene in hospitals that began in...

I thank my noble friend Lord Patel for this short but important debate. He chairs the National Patient Safety Agency, which campaigns to improve patient safety. What can be more important? One of its projects was cleanyourhands, a national campaign to promote better hand hygiene in hospitals that began in...

Lords question for short debate on what plans they have to reduce hospital-acquired infections.

Lords question for short debate on what plans they have to reduce hospital-acquired infections.

I congratulate the noble Lord on securing today’s timely debate. As demonstrated by the passionate and well informed contributions, the topic is of great concern to many, particularly to him in his work as chair of the National Patient Safety Agency—and rightly so, as tackling healthcare-associated infections is a challenge...

I congratulate the noble Lord on securing today’s timely debate. As demonstrated by the passionate and well informed contributions, the topic is of great concern to many, particularly to him in his work as chair of the National Patient Safety Agency—and rightly so, as tackling healthcare-associated infections is a challenge...

asked Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reduce hospital-acquired infections. The noble Lord said: Healthcare-associated infections affect approximately 9 per cent of in-patients, cause at least 5,000 deaths per year and contribute to a further 15,000 deaths a year. Furthermore, 300,000 or more patients acquire non-fatal infections that...

asked Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to reduce hospital-acquired infections. The noble Lord said: Healthcare-associated infections affect approximately 9 per cent of in-patients, cause at least 5,000 deaths per year and contribute to a further 15,000 deaths a year. Furthermore, 300,000 or more patients acquire non-fatal infections that...

I also thank the noble Lord, Lord Patel, for giving me the opportunity to get involved in this subject, which I do not normally do. I come from a medical family; my father was a GP, my mother was a midwife and my brother is a GP. I was the...

I also thank the noble Lord, Lord Patel, for giving me the opportunity to get involved in this subject, which I do not normally do. I come from a medical family; my father was a GP, my mother was a midwife and my brother is a GP. I was the...

asked Her Majesty's Government:Following the identification of three persons in Scotland infected with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus type ST398, whether they will consult (a) the relevant authorities in the Netherlands, and (b) the Soil Association about the transfer of bacteria from animals to humans, in particular through meat.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Following the identification of three persons in Scotland infected with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus type ST398, whether they will consult (a) the relevant authorities in the Netherlands, and (b) the Soil Association about the transfer of bacteria from animals to humans, in particular through meat.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will test imported pig and poultry meat for methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus in view of the infection in four European Union countries; and whether they will begin taking sample tests of live pigs and poultry in Britain, together with meat for retail sale.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will test imported pig and poultry meat for methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus in view of the infection in four European Union countries; and whether they will begin taking sample tests of live pigs and poultry in Britain, together with meat for retail sale.

My Lords, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment No. 10, as an amendment to Amendment No. 9, by leave, withdrawn. On Question, Amendment No. 9 agreed to. [Amendment No. 11, as an amendment to Amendment No.9, not moved.]

My Lords, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment No. 10, as an amendment to Amendment No. 9, by leave, withdrawn. On Question, Amendment No. 9 agreed to. [Amendment No. 11, as an amendment to Amendment No.9, not moved.]

moved Amendment No. 12: 12: After Clause 2, insert the following new Clause— ““Matters to which the Commission must have regard (1) In performing its functions the Commission must have regard to— (a) views expressed by or on behalf of members of the public about health and social care services,...

moved Amendment No. 12: 12: After Clause 2, insert the following new Clause— ““Matters to which the Commission must have regard (1) In performing its functions the Commission must have regard to— (a) views expressed by or on behalf of members of the public about health and social care services,...

moved Amendment No. 13: 13: After Clause 2, insert the following new Clause— ““Statement on user involvement (1) The Commission must publish a statement describing how it proposes to— (a) promote awareness among service users and carers of its functions, (b) promote and engage in discussion with service users and...

moved Amendment No. 13: 13: After Clause 2, insert the following new Clause— ““Statement on user involvement (1) The Commission must publish a statement describing how it proposes to— (a) promote awareness among service users and carers of its functions, (b) promote and engage in discussion with service users and...

My Lords, I too welcome this group of amendments, showing, as they do, the Government’s commitment to user involvement. I want particularly to speak in very warm support of the mention of carers in Amendment No. 13. One of the key concerns about the Bill was the original lack of...

My Lords, I too welcome this group of amendments, showing, as they do, the Government’s commitment to user involvement. I want particularly to speak in very warm support of the mention of carers in Amendment No. 13. One of the key concerns about the Bill was the original lack of...

My Lords, I have no hesitation in saying that in this cluster of amendments there is one rather large diamond in the shape of Amendment No. 13, which I warmly welcome, as well as a number of little gems. I am thinking particularly of Amendment Nos. 35, 44, 47 and...

My Lords, I have no hesitation in saying that in this cluster of amendments there is one rather large diamond in the shape of Amendment No. 13, which I warmly welcome, as well as a number of little gems. I am thinking particularly of Amendment Nos. 35, 44, 47 and...

My Lords, I, too, welcome the amendment, but will the service users or carers be able to state their concerns when there are not enough facilities? For example, there is the problem of intensive care costs, which was highlighted in the headlines of the Evening Standard today.

My Lords, I, too, welcome the amendment, but will the service users or carers be able to state their concerns when there are not enough facilities? For example, there is the problem of intensive care costs, which was highlighted in the headlines of the Evening Standard today.

My Lords, I want briefly to intervene and make a suggestion. The statement on user involvement states: "““The Commission must publish a statement describing how it proposes to— (a) promote awareness among service users and carers of its functions””." In Committee, I laboured the point regarding my personal experience. I...

My Lords, I want briefly to intervene and make a suggestion. The statement on user involvement states: "““The Commission must publish a statement describing how it proposes to— (a) promote awareness among service users and carers of its functions””." In Committee, I laboured the point regarding my personal experience. I...

moved Amendment No. 14: 14: After Clause 3, insert the following new Clause— ““Meaning of ““health and social care services”” in Chapter 1 In this Chapter ““health and social care services”” has the meaning given by section (The Commission’s objectives)(3).”” On Question, amendment agreed to. Clause 4 ["Regulated activity"]:

moved Amendment No. 14: 14: After Clause 3, insert the following new Clause— ““Meaning of ““health and social care services”” in Chapter 1 In this Chapter ““health and social care services”” has the meaning given by section (The Commission’s objectives)(3).”” On Question, amendment agreed to. Clause 4 ["Regulated activity"]:

My Lords, all I really need to say is that we are grateful for the thanks that have been expressed for these amendments. They would not have been possible without the fantastically expert Members of the Grand Committee who we were surrounded by and who know more than it is...

My Lords, all I really need to say is that we are grateful for the thanks that have been expressed for these amendments. They would not have been possible without the fantastically expert Members of the Grand Committee who we were surrounded by and who know more than it is...

moved Amendment No. 15: 15: Clause 4, page 3, line 4, leave out paragraph (b) The noble Earl said: My Lords, I felt it right, following our debates in Grand Committee on whether Clause 2 should stand part of the Bill, to bring us back to an issue of fundamental...

moved Amendment No. 15: 15: Clause 4, page 3, line 4, leave out paragraph (b) The noble Earl said: My Lords, I felt it right, following our debates in Grand Committee on whether Clause 2 should stand part of the Bill, to bring us back to an issue of fundamental...

My Lords, I would like to speak very briefly. It is unusual for me to disagree with the noble Earl, Lord Howe. I am looking back to long ago when I was a chair of social services in a London borough. I was always concerned about the buck-passing that used...

My Lords, I would like to speak very briefly. It is unusual for me to disagree with the noble Earl, Lord Howe. I am looking back to long ago when I was a chair of social services in a London borough. I was always concerned about the buck-passing that used...

My Lords, it is very difficult to get this right without sounding like a creep and being patronising, but I want to thank Ministers for the consideration that they have given to this Bill—it is about 300 amendments that we have collectively put forward. The noble Baroness, Lady Howarth, described...

My Lords, it is very difficult to get this right without sounding like a creep and being patronising, but I want to thank Ministers for the consideration that they have given to this Bill—it is about 300 amendments that we have collectively put forward. The noble Baroness, Lady Howarth, described...

moved Amendment No. 7: 7: Clause 2, page 2, line 9, leave out subsections (3) to (5) The noble Baroness said: My Lords, it will be convenient also to consider government Amendments Nos. 9, 12 and 14. I note Amendments Nos. 10, 11, and 53, tabled on behalf of the...

moved Amendment No. 7: 7: Clause 2, page 2, line 9, leave out subsections (3) to (5) The noble Baroness said: My Lords, it will be convenient also to consider government Amendments Nos. 9, 12 and 14. I note Amendments Nos. 10, 11, and 53, tabled on behalf of the...

My Lords, are they not in the same group?

My Lords, are they not in the same group?

moved Amendment No. 9: 9: After Clause 2, insert the following new Clause— ““The Commission’s objectives (1) The main objective of the Commission in performing its functions is to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of people who use health and social care services. (2) The Commission is...

moved Amendment No. 9: 9: After Clause 2, insert the following new Clause— ““The Commission’s objectives (1) The main objective of the Commission in performing its functions is to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of people who use health and social care services. (2) The Commission is...

moved, as an amendment to Amendment No. 9, Amendment No. 10: 10: After Clause 2, line 4, after ““safety”” insert ““, rights”” The noble Baroness said: My Lords, I apologise if I misunderstood the position. I would like to respond to the Minister on behalf of the noble Earl, Lord...

moved, as an amendment to Amendment No. 9, Amendment No. 10: 10: After Clause 2, line 4, after ““safety”” insert ““, rights”” The noble Baroness said: My Lords, I apologise if I misunderstood the position. I would like to respond to the Minister on behalf of the noble Earl, Lord...

My Lords, I want to say a few words on proposed new sub subsection (1)(e) referred to by the noble Baroness, Lady Cumberlege. What I have to say arises out of a conversation I had with a provider. Paragraph (e) says, "““the need to ensure that action by the Commission...

My Lords, I want to say a few words on proposed new sub subsection (1)(e) referred to by the noble Baroness, Lady Cumberlege. What I have to say arises out of a conversation I had with a provider. Paragraph (e) says, "““the need to ensure that action by the Commission...

My Lords, I am very concerned that prison health is not mentioned in the Government's bundle of amendments. The NHS is now responsible for prison health. This is very important. One of my concerns is that many people in prison have mental health problems, and some of the most complicated...

My Lords, I am very concerned that prison health is not mentioned in the Government's bundle of amendments. The NHS is now responsible for prison health. This is very important. One of my concerns is that many people in prison have mental health problems, and some of the most complicated...

My Lords, I would like to respond to the invitation from the Minister to speak to Amendments Nos. 10, 11, and the consequential—

My Lords, I would like to respond to the invitation from the Minister to speak to Amendments Nos. 10, 11, and the consequential—

My Lords, I had not intended to speak to this amendment but I wish to support the amendment of my noble friend Lady Stern. Working with the Healthcare Commission year by year, I am very conscious that we are required to meet all sorts of standards in relation to safety,...

My Lords, I had not intended to speak to this amendment but I wish to support the amendment of my noble friend Lady Stern. Working with the Healthcare Commission year by year, I am very conscious that we are required to meet all sorts of standards in relation to safety,...

My Lords, I wish to address an issue in Amendment No. 10. In doing so, I thank the Minister for the work that she has done to bring forward the set of amendments which I believe she has now passed and which are now part of the Bill. Not only...

My Lords, I wish to address an issue in Amendment No. 10. In doing so, I thank the Minister for the work that she has done to bring forward the set of amendments which I believe she has now passed and which are now part of the Bill. Not only...

My Lords, it will not be written into this part of the Bill. We do not believe that it is appropriate to accept Amendments Nos. 10 and 11 and hope that the noble Baroness will not press them.

My Lords, it will not be written into this part of the Bill. We do not believe that it is appropriate to accept Amendments Nos. 10 and 11 and hope that the noble Baroness will not press them.

My Lords, I did not say it was possible; you would have to completely disregard the proportionality, which is already included in the Bill, to do that. It would be unlikely, and not likely to succeed either. The noble Baroness, Lady Stern, might be interested to know that the Equality...

My Lords, I did not say it was possible; you would have to completely disregard the proportionality, which is already included in the Bill, to do that. It would be unlikely, and not likely to succeed either. The noble Baroness, Lady Stern, might be interested to know that the Equality...

My Lords, will it be written in?

My Lords, will it be written in?

My Lords, I thank my noble friend Lord Dubs and the noble Earl and noble Baroness for their contributions on Amendments Nos. 10 and 11. We are addressing those amendments, but I shall respond to some of the other points made. On behalf of myself and my noble friend I...

My Lords, I thank my noble friend Lord Dubs and the noble Earl and noble Baroness for their contributions on Amendments Nos. 10 and 11. We are addressing those amendments, but I shall respond to some of the other points made. On behalf of myself and my noble friend I...

My Lords, my noble friend did not say that it was not possible. I was seeking to find out whether it could be used as a peg for bringing legal action.

My Lords, my noble friend did not say that it was not possible. I was seeking to find out whether it could be used as a peg for bringing legal action.