Health: Hospital-acquired Infection

Debate between Earl Howe and Lord Roberts of Conwy

Tuesday 7th June 2011 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, we expect all provider trusts to have sufficient isolation units for those patients in whom an infection is identified. I am not quite sure whether this is what lay behind the noble Lord’s question, but there is no evidence to support a link between higher bed occupancy rates and higher rates of healthcare-associated infections. The number of beds occupied in a trust, in other words, should not have a bearing on the infection rate in that hospital.

[Lord Roberts of Conwy]

My Lords, could the Minister confirm that the best hospitals actually test patients in advance of admission for MRSA, for example—as I personally was tested but yesterday at the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital?

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, yes, and that is now a requirement on all NHS trusts.