James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

The control of health care associated infections, HCAIs, continues to be a policy priority for the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive, HSE. Maintaining hospital hygiene practice is an essential component of the drive to reduce HCAIs.

Under section 8 of the Health Act 2007, the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, has statutory power to set standards on safety and quality in relation to services provided by the HSE and service providers in accordance with specified Acts. However, it is a matter for the authority to determine how it can most effectively deliver on its responsibilities having regard to competing priorities and available resources.

HIQA's National Infection Prevention and Control Standards were published in May 2009. The authority carried out a national hygiene audit in late 2009 and undertook hygiene audits of hospitals during 2010. My Department is continuing to work with HIQA and the HSE to prepare for the inspection of acute hospitals and other health care facilities against these standards. HIQA, in association with the Department, is currently putting together a comprehensive assessment of its current and likely future staffing requirements within the context of the comprehensive expenditure review. The resources required to monitor compliance with the National Standards for Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infection will be considered as part of this assessment.

Appropriate steps are being taken to address the issue of health care associated infections in our hospitals and to treat them promptly when they occur. The HSE's performance indicators at national level continue to demonstrate encouraging improvements in the area of infection prevention and control with the reported incidence of MRSA dropping by 48% between 2006 and 2010. I welcome the appointment earlier this year by the HSE, jointly with the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland, of a national clinical lead on health care associated infections.

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