§ Mr. Humeasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what guidelines or requirements Her Majesty's Government have notified to health boards in Northern Ireland regarding hygiene and the use of disinfectant for cleaning in residential homes and hospitals;
(2) how many residential homes in Northern Ireland do not currently use disinfectants in the cleaning of floors, toilets, commodes, walls or fittings;
(3) what are the cost savings to health boards in Northern Ireland of using washing-up liquid rather than disinfectants for hygiene maintenance in residential homes;
99W(4) what reports have been made by Government health inspectors regarding the use of washing-up liquid rather than disinfectants for hygiene maintenance in residential homes or hospitals;
(5) how many hospitals in Northern Ireland have cut back on the use of disinfectant for hygiene maintenance; and what further savings are envisaged.
§ Mr. ViggersThe Department of Health and Social Services discourages the indiscriminate use of disinfectants for cleaning in hospitals and residential homes. It will shortly be issuing formal guidance which provides for their use to be specifically prescribed by health and social services boards' control of infection officers. This guidance will mirror recent guidance by the Department of Health and Social Security to the National Health Service. I understand that there has already been some reduction in use of disinfectants in favour of neutral detergents, as a matter of professional practice rather than as a cost-saving measure. The cost effects of this revision in practice have not been quantified. Information about the use of disinfectants in individual hospitals and residential homes is not available centrally. District council environmental health officers have not issued any reports regarding the use of washing-up liquid rather than disinfectant for hygiene maintenance in hospitals or residential homes.