Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the impact financial cuts are having on laboratory testing for MRSA and other hospital acquired infections; the way she expects to achieve her target to reduce MRSA by 30% if a series of service restrictions have been imposed as a result of the cutbacks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16278/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Tackling all Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) continues to be a priority for the Government and the Health Service Executive (HSE). The HSE launched a National Infection Control Action Plan in March 2007. An Infection Control Steering Group, chaired by Dr. Pat Doorley, National Director (Population Health) is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the plan. Over the next three to five years, the HSE aims to reduce HCAIs by 20%, MRSA infections by 30% and antibiotic consumption by 20%.

I have been informed by the HSE that all hospitals throughout the country will continue to maintain their existing levels of service in this important area. Laboratory services are in effect demand-led and often have to deal with fluctuations in the need for their services for a wide variety of reasons. They are a crucial part of both hospital and community health services and while demands are high so too is the skill, expertise and commitment of the staff providing the services. Hospital networks throughout the country have also received approval to recruit scientists (in addition to pharmacists and infection control nurses) specifically for healthcare associated infection services, many of which are now in place.

At a European level, the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (EARSS) was established in 1999 in response to the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance in Europe. EARSS comprises a network of over 800 microbiological laboratories serving some 1,200 hospitals in 30 countries that collects routinely generated antimicrobial susceptibility testing data on invasive infections caused by seven important bacterial pathogens. As of final quarter of 2007, 44 Irish laboratories serving 65 acute hospitals (public and private) participate in EARRS representing 100% coverage of the Irish population.

In quarter 4 of 2007, 28.8% of Staphylococcus Aureus isolates were Methicillin resistant compared to 40% in quarters 3 of 2007. This is a statistically significant difference. The annual trends indicate that the portion on MRSA in Ireland levelled off at approximately 42% between 2002 and 2006. In 2007, preliminary data indicate that this has dropped to 38.5%.

If the trend for 2008 remains downwards, it will indicate that our policies relating to control of healthcare associated infections and antimicrobial resistance in Ireland are having a positive impact. While accepting that not all HCAIs are preventable, I am satisfied that a sustained effort to reduce the rates of HCAIs generally and to treat them promptly when they occur is being maintained.