Mr. Phelim Quinn:

In the acute hospital sector there is anecdotal evidence from some of our inspectors that staff would discuss issues of morale with them at the point of inspection. I do not believe that there is any specific or set pattern. Some staff on the ground sometimes welcome the prevention and control of health care acquired infections because they may have tried over a period to effect certain changes which have not happened but after the inspection they can see changes happening as a result of the recommendations made. We do not have evidence of a specific pattern or impact of lowered staff morale.