§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what assistance he intends to give to district and regional health authorities to enable them to upgrade hygiene standards in kitchens in National Health Service hospitals;
(2) what guidelines he intends to issue to staff of the National Health Service hospitals about the storage and preservation of fresh frozen foods in kitchens with a view to preventing further outbreaks of salmonella food poisoning.
§ Mr. John PattenWe have no reason to believe that the general standards of hygiene and food preparation in National Health Service hospitals are unsatisfactory. The Department has issued comprehensive guidance on the storage and preservation of fresh and frozen foods. We shall consider whether further action is required when the report of the inquiry into the outbreak of food poisoning at the Stanley Royd hospital, Wakefield, is received.