§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps have been taken to check whether any patients were infected by the Legionella outbreak at Queen's medical centre, Nottingham;
(2) what action he has taken on the recent outbreak of legionnaire's disease at the Queen's medical centre; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellOne patient in the medical block of Queen's medical centre has been diagnosed as suffering from Legionnaires' disease. The infection was discovered as a result of a continuing surveillance exercise in the centre. The following action was undertaken by local management
—all patients at risk in the centre were individually screened and have been found not to be infected;—the normal intensive surveillance of water supplies has been enhanced;886W—the hospital's control of infection committee and the Health and Safety Executive have been informed.Since the Department's guidance on the control of Legionellae was published in 1988, the hospital have taken extensive measures to minimise the risk of Legionaires' disease: This includes.
—substantial investment in cleaning and disinfecting water systems;—increased hot water circulation temperatures;—the removal of infrequently used water outlets;—the regular flushing of remaining water outlets;—the increased sampling of water supplies;—the investigation of any relevant clinical conditions.We are satisfied that everything is being done in accordance with guidance issued by the Department to minimise the risk to patient and public safety.