§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of compliance with hand hygiene protocols in NHS hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [71860]
§ Mr. HuttonGuidelines on hand hygiene were issued to the National Health Service in January 2000 and trusts are expected to have a policy in place for compliance with hand hygiene which should be audited by the local infection control team. Details of the arrangements in place at each trust are also available to the Commission for Health Improvement as part of its clinical governance review process and to the Audit Commission in their reviews of provider care.