HL Deb 08 September 2003 vol 652 cc61-2WA
Baroness Cumberlege

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress they have made towards the 15–30 per cent reduction in hospital acquired infection, highlighted as achievable by the Public Accounts Committee. [HL4097]

Lord Warner

As national data on hospital infections are limited we are unable to assess percentage changes but we are developing a new national mandatory surveillance system for healthcare associated infection.

Hospital performance against the infection control standards has improved over the past three years and for the first time this year contributed to star ratings. The Chief Medical Officer is leading a new initiative to produce a longer-term strategy to reduce healthcare associated infections.