§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to implement the recommendations contained in the report, Getting Ahead of the Curve-A Strategy for Combating Infectious Diseases. [30685]
§ Yvette CooperThe strategy includes a commitment to have updated plans in place by the end of 2002 for health care associated infection; tuberculosis; antimicrobial resistance; and blood-borne and sexually transmitted viruses. We hope to set up the new National Infection Control and Health Protection Agency at the latest by 1 April 2003, and will be working to have other elements of the strategy in place as soon as possible. Preparation of the strategy took account of a wide range of views, and we shall consult further as we work up the details of how to take particular components of the strategy forward.