§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements will be in place to require local laboratories(a) to report to and (b) respond to requests from the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre after reorganisation of the service to create the Health Protection Agency; and if he will make a statement. [74819]
§ Ms BlearsAll National Health Service laboratories as well as laboratories in the proposed health protection agency will be able to report to communicable disease surveillance centre (CDSC). These arrangements will be a continuation of the current system.
As at present, the CDSC will work with laboratories in the NHS and non-departmental public bodies on the appropriate reporting to meet local, regional and national requirements.