§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will issue guidelines to health authorities and NHS trusts in order for them to comply with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 with regard to the disposal of clinical waste, amputated limbs, soiled bandages, drugs and syringes;
(2) if there has been a Government survey of the hospitals that do not now comply with the Environmental Protection Act 1990 as it applies to the disposal of clinical waste;
(3) if he will list the hospitals which are currently negotiating for temporary exemption from the Environmental Protection Act 1990 with regard to the disposal of clinical waste;
(4) if there will be negotiations with individual hospitals concerning temporary exemption from the Environmental Protection Act 1990 with regard to the disposal of clinical waste.
§ Mr. DorrellA "Strategic Guide for Waste Management", which deals with the effects of the removal of Crown immunity from the national health service and the implementation of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, a copy of which is available in the Library, was issued to health authorities and NHS trusts in March 1991.
From 1 April 1991 health authorities with clinical waste incinerators have to obtain authorisation for their operation from the appropriate local authority. If upgrading of the incinerator is required in order to meet the requirements of the environmental protection legislation a programme for that upgrading has to be agreed with the local authority within six months of the date of issue of the first authorisation.
250WI have asked the NHS management executive to monitor the progress being made to meet the requirements of the environmental protection legislation and establish the number of units which are unable, by 1 April 1992, to comply with the full requirements.