§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has evaluated regarding the possible causes of MRSA; and what advice he has issued to doctors regarding prescribing practice in the light of increases in the incidence of MRSA outbreaks. [11834]
§ Mr. HoramMethicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus is the term used for strains on the bacterium staphylococcus aureus which have become resistant, principally to methicillin, but also to other antibiotics. Clinicians are expected to consider a number of factors, including resistance to infection, before prescribing antibiotics for a patient.
§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the number of(a) beds and (b) wards closed and i) admissions and (ii) operations postponed or cancelled as a result of outbreaks of MRSA. [11833]
§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the financial cost of MRSA in terms of isolating and treating patients; and what action he is taking to reduce or control the incidence of MRSA outbreaks. [11835]
§ Mr. HoramInformation on the costs of methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus is not available centrally. I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. Williams) on 22 January,Official Report, columns 16–17 for information on the action the Department is taking to reduce or control the incidence of outbreaks of MRSA.