§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the origin of the recent outbreaks of salmonella poisoning at Law hospital near Lanark and the royal infirmary, Edinburgh.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythBetween 23 and 24 August two patients from a geriatric ward at Law hospital presenting symptoms of salmonella poisoning were transferred to Monklands district general hospital infectious diseases unit. Two different types of salmonella were identified. Both patients made a complete recovery. On 24 August 11 geriatric patients from the same ward displayed symptoms which suggested food poisoning. They were tested for infection at Law hospital but salmonella was not identified in any of the patients. They remained at Law hospital and recovered well. The ward and hospital kitchens were examined and samples of all meals (which are retained to enable analysis to be undertaken in the event of infection developing) were tested. Despite intensive investigations the sources of the infections could not be traced.
There have been no cases of salmonella poisoning at the royal infirmary, Edinburgh, within the last year.