HC Deb 29 October 2002 vol 391 cc749-50W
Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will list the number of contacts his Department has had with(a) Wythenshawe Hospital and (b) Greater Manchester health authority concerning the case of Mr. Stanley Ford and list, in each case, the date and nature of contact. [76641]

Jacqui Smith

[holding answer 24 October 2002]: Officials have been in contact with South Manchester University Hospitals National Health Service Trust and Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority on a number of occasions since my hon. Friend first raised her constituent's case in five parliamentary questions last July. These approaches have been by letter, telephone and e-mail and not all were individually recorded.

Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what investigations have taken place into hygiene standards at Wythenshawe Hospital following the outbreaks of MRSA in May and June. [76643]

Jacqui Smith

[holding answer 24 October 2002]: Several meetings took place, attended by all relevant staff, including a consultant microbiologist and an infection control nurse. The trust's cleaning contractor was given instructions about additional cleaning requirements, with which it has complied. These enhanced cleaning measures are continuing to be monitored.

Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the reasons why Wythenshawe Hospital was short of theatre staff on 22 March; how many staff were missing; what post each of them held; and, in each case, what the reason for absence was. [76645]

Jacqui Smith

[holding answer 24 October 2002]: On 22 March, five of the 20 nursing staff were on sick leave, although four colleagues worked overtime to compensate for their absence. It was as a result of an emergency admission going to theatre at 14:35 hours that my hon. Friend's constituent had to have his operation cancelled.

Helen Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will investigate the procedures adopted by(a) Wythenshawe Hospital and (b) the Greater Manchester health authority when dealing with complaints about the treatment of Mr S. Ford of Warrington; and if he will make a statement. [76647]

Jacqui Smith

[holding answer 24 October 2002]: At the request of the national health service chief executive, the director of health & social care— North has reviewed Mr. Ford's case and the handling of subsequent complaints by South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust and Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority. The director wrote to my hon. Friend on 18 September with his findings.