§ Lord HolmPatrickasked Her Majesty's Government:
What procedures the NHS has in place to ensure the effective and speedy diagnosis of meningitis, particularly in young children.
§ Baroness Jay of PaddingtonGuidance on the diagnosis of meningococcal disease was published by the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) in 1995Control of Meningococcal Disease: Guidelines for Consultants in Communicable Disease Control and, Control of Meningococcal Disease: Guidance for Microbiologists. This gives details of the various methods for diagnosis, including new methods under evaluation by the PHLS. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) investigation is now routinely provided by the 153WA PHLS Meningococcal Reference Unit. Attention is drawn to the importance of close communication between clinicians, microbiologists and consultants in communicable disease control. Advice on the diagnosis of meningitis is contained in the memorandum Immunisation against infectious disease which is provided free to all doctors. Additionally, the chief medical officer writes annually to all doctors alerting them to the expected winter rise in cases of meningococcal infection and reminding them of the value of early treatment with penicillin.