HC Deb 26 April 2004 vol 420 c843W
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.