§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services who in the National Health Service has the ultimate administrative responsibility for health and safety standards in hospital kitchens.
§ Mr. HayhoeHealth and safety standards in hospital kitchens are the operational responsibility of health authorities. Following the Griffiths report, in discharging this responsibility authorities will expect their general managers to ensure that arrangements are made for securing and monitoring standards in this important area.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many Crown notices have been issued regarding National Health Service hospitals in each of the last five years; and what were the results.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe number of Crown notices to health authorities in 1985 are not yet available. The figures for the years 1980–84 are as follows: 503W
Year Improvement Prohibition Total 1980 24 5 29 1981 93 6 99 1982 79 12 94 1983 40 10 50 1984 28 6 34 Health authorities are required to comply with the terms of a Crown notice and there are arrangements for any failure to do so to be brought to the attention of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. This has not been necessary in any case.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set up an investigation into the condition of the kitchens at Kings College hospital.
§ Mr. HayhoeSouth-East Thames regional health authority has been asked for an urgent report on the allegations of poor hygiene standards in the kitchens at Kings College hospital. According to its interim report, a programme of upgrading work had already been agreed with the local environmental health officer and is being implemented. There are also training schemes for kitchen staff agreed by the environmental health officer. An inspection of the kitchens was carried out by the local environmental health officer on Friday 24 January. The final report by the regional health authority will give its response to the recommendations arising from this inspection.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has on the identity of those hospitals which have kitchens with such low hygiene standards that they could be prosecuted, except for the practice of Crown immunity; and if he will publish such information.
§ Mr. HayhoeI refer the right hon. Member to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Aldridge- Brownhills (Mr. Shepherd) on 24 January at columns347–48. All allegations of poor food hygiene standards in National Health Service hospitals which are brought to the Department's attention are followed up.