Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join colleagues in offering our deepest sympathy to the husband and bereaved family of the woman referred to in the newspapers this morning. I support Senator Crown in restraining from comment until such time as the full facts of the case are known. At that stage we should debate the various aspects outlined by many Members this morning.

Another medical story is contained in this morning's newspaper, written by the health correspondent of The Irish Times. It indicates that 30% of hospital doctors do not wash their hands, according to an audit carried out by the HSE. It is particularly disturbing as hand washing protects patients from potentially lethal super-bugs such as MRSA. Some hospitals fare worse than others, with 70% of doctors in Wexford General Hospital not washing their hands, 71.4% of doctors not doing so in St. Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny, and 73.3% of doctors not doing so in Roscommon. In this day and age it should be an absolute given that any medical personnel dealing with patients, and particularly large volumes of patients, wash their hands and ensure there is no opportunity to spread infection.

I ask the Leader to facilitate a discussion with the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, on prevention of infection in hospitals. My local hospital in Ballinasloe is closed to visitors because of an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug, illustrating the significant opportunity within the hospital environment for spreading infection. We must ensure everything possible is done within every hospital and health centre run by the HSE to ensure we prevent the spread of infection.