§ Dr. MurrisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking to protect surgical patients from exposure to poisons; [32779]
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made to ensure total sterilisation of surgical instruments; and if he will make a statement. [32798]
§ Yvette CooperWe have received advice from the Spongiform Encephalopathies Advisory Committee that a key factor in reducing the risk of person-to-person spread of vCJD during surgery is a high standard of decontamination of surgical instruments. This is confirmed by the Risk Assessment that we published on 16 March 2001.
Since October 2000, we have carried out a comprehensive survey of decontamination facilities and practices in the national health service in England, the 137W results of which we published on 11 December 2001. Those hospitals falling below the standard required were helped to produce action plans. As a result, all NHS acute hospitals in England now have access to satisfactory decontamination services.
The modernisation of NHS decontamination services is a long-term process, not a one-off event, and we will continue to ensure that appropriate precautions, based on evidence and scientific advice, are taken to ensure patient safety.