§ Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied that the existing channels of communication will operate efficiently between the appropriate authorities in the event of an outbreak of suspected waterborne illness.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsYes, but the need to ensure that communications operate effectively is kept under active review.
§ Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied that medical practitioners are sufficiently well aware of the need to inform medical officers for environmental health as soon as possible of any increase in non-specific gastro-enteritis and other diseases that might be waterborne.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsMedical practitioners have a statutory duty to inform medical officers for environmental health of certain notifiable diseases. One class of such diseases is food poisoning and suspected food poisoning, which would include any non-specific gastroenteritis diagnosed by them. While it is not possible to be certain that such notifications are complete I am satisfied that any increase in such diseases as the result of a waterborne infection would be indicated by a commensurate increase in notifications.