§ Dr. Evan Harris:To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans his Department has to monitor and improve levels of healthcare-associated infections in community healthcare settings; and if he will make a statement; [128923]
(2) what plans his Department has to commission qualitative and quantitative studies to investigate infection control practice among community healthcare personnel; [128925]
(3) what central monitoring and recording is undertaken by his Department on compliance with infection control guidelines in community healthcare settings. [128926]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson:Central monitoring of compliance with infection control in community settings is not undertaken.
New National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidelines, "Infection Control: Prevention of Healthcare-associated Infection in Primary and Community Care" were published this summer. These evidence-based guidelines include the standard principles for controlling infection, for example, hand hygiene and the prevention of infections associated with certain invasive devices. They also contain information on the education of healthcare workers, guidance on implementation and audit criteria to assess compliance. Implementation of these guidelines and other initiatives will encourage good practice and help prevent avoidable infections.
The National health service research and development methodology programme has recently asked for bids for research into surveillance of healthcare associated infection in the community after discharge from hospital treatment.