HC Deb 29 October 1985 vol 84 c447W
Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the types of illnesses which National Health Service patients have suffered arising from hospital induced infections and food poisoning.

Mr. Hayhoe

This information is not available in the form requested. However, in the 1981 Public Health Laboratory Service study the major systems affected by hospital acquired infection were the urinary, upper and lower respiratory, wound and skin infections. Illnesses derived from food poisoning might include gastroenteritis, bacteremia and diarrhoeal illness.

Mr. Ashley

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the number of patients who have acquired (a) serious and (b) minor hospital-induced infections in each of the last five years.

Mr. Hayhoe

I regret that the information on which to base such an estimate is not available.