Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she proposes to take to counteract the problem of MRSA in hospitals here; and the action taken to date. [22318/07]

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 182: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she will take in consultation with the Health Service Executive to deal with the ongoing crisis with MRSA; her views on whether this is now not only a crisis issue for the elderly but also for younger patients going in for routine operations who leave the hospital with MRSA and have to deal with it in their own home, and that overcrowding and lack of beds is part of the difficulty in controlling this and other diseases where proper cleansing and disinfecting need to be carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24118/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the results of her efforts and associated costs to date in combating MRSA; the number of hospitals or institutions deemed to be entirely free from such infection; if she has identified the institutions with the greatest incidence; the degree to which the issue has been addressed at such locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24482/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the action that has been taken to prevent the spread of MRSA throughout the hospital network; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24483/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 145, 182, 237 and 238 together.

Tackling Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs), including MRSA is a priority for the government and for the Health Service Executive (HSE). I share the public concern in relation to MRSA. The HSE has established a National Infection Control Action Plan. The Infection Control Steering Group is Chaired by Dr. Pat Doorley, National Director (Population Health) and is responsible for reducing infection levels in Ireland's health care facilities. Over the next three to five years the HSE aims to reduce HCAIs by 20%, MRSA infections by 30% and antibiotic consumption by 20%. Achievement of these targets will benefit all patients who are at risk. These targets will be achieved through the development of national and local level action plans to reduce the potential for spread of infections between persons in healthcare settings, and in addition will focus on reducing antibiotic use in Ireland. The Steering Group is supported by eight Local Implementation Teams which will ensure that all local facilities are focused on achieving the national targets.

The HSE have issued hygiene and infection control standards for all hospitals and have begun initiatives on reducing antibiotic consumption. In addition, the HSE is currently appointing a number of new infection control nurses, surveillance scientists and antibiotic pharmacists. These staff will strengthen specialist support for infection control and facilitate the development of the national surveillance system.

It is unrealistic to try to isolate the overall cost of combating HCAIs. Reducing the incidence of these infections will not alone improve patient care but will also generate savings in the cost of service delivery. Each hospital has been mandated to carry out hygiene audits at least annually. The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has completed its first Hygiene Services Assessment Scheme incorporating unannounced hospital hygiene inspections. Its report is expected shortly. HIQA is currently working with the HSE to produce national infection control standards. When these are introduced they will have the status of approved standards under the Health Act 2007 and their implementation will be monitored by HIQA.

A primary element of the fight against healthcare-associated infections involves changing practices and procedures and the way in which many health care staff go about their daily work. Hygiene is a significant issue in our hospitals. It impacts hugely on inspection rates. Hand hygiene is the most important form of hygiene in this regard, but hygiene in general is important.

Two national hygiene audits have taken place over recent years. Great improvements were made between the first and second audits carried out in 2005 and 2006. Almost every hospital had increased its overall score. Only 2 hospitals received a 'poor' score in 2006 compared with 26 in the first audit and the percentage of hospitals achieving a 'good' score moved up from 9% in 2005 to 60% last year. These audits most definitely represented a significant step forward in relation to improving hygiene in our hospitals.

In addition the HSE has developed a media campaign which aims to educate patients, visitors and staff about the importance of hand hygiene in all areas of hospital activity.

In relation to the issue of overcrowding in hospitals, focussed efforts under the Winter initiative scheme have achieved a reduction in the numbers of patients waiting for admission on trolleys in A&E and a reduction in the time those patients spend waiting. Admission lounges have been put in place in a number of hospitals to ensure that patients are treated with dignity while awaiting admission. A number of new A&E Departments commissioned in 2005/06 have provision for minor injury clinics, including Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Cork University Hospital, St. Vincent's University Hospital and St. James's Hospital which reduce the burden on busy A&E departments. In 2006, over 1,000 additional extended care places were provided through privately contracted arrangements. In relation to 2007, the HSE has developed proposals to contract a further 450 beds in private nursing homes throughout the country. There are also proposals for an additional 450 beds within the public system. Additional home-care packages have been put in place to facilitate discharge from hospital to the patient's own home.

I have instructed the HSE that designated private beds should be used where isolation facilities are required for patients who contract MRSA. While accepting that not all HCAIs are preventable, I am satisfied that significant steps are being taken to reduce the rates of infection and to treat them promptly when they occur.