§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those hospitals which reported outbreaks of multi-resistant staphylococcus aureus during 1986; which of these hospitals have reported further outbreaks so far during 1987; and which other hospitals have reported outbreaks of multi-resistant staphylococcus aureus during 1987.
§ Mrs. CurrieInformation is not available concerning outbreaks of multi-resistant staphylococcus aureus.
There is, however, a voluntary national survey of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) conducted by the division of hospital infection and 908W communicable disease surveillance centre of the Public Health Laboratory service board. MRSA is an important example of the multi-resistant infections.
The survey is based on reported cases originating at the hospital concerned. Thus, a hospital will be included even if only one isolated case was involved, but will not normally be included if a patient with M RSA has been transferred to it.
A list of hospitals reporting on this basis in 1986 and so far during 1987 will be placed in the Library as soon as possible.