Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the immediate action she will take to implement in full the recommendations of the health protection surveillance centre on the spread of Clostridium difficile and other hospital-based infections. [22275/08]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to implement the recommendations of the report on the health protection surveillance centre on the spread of hospital-based infections; her views in particular, on the prevalence of Clostridium difficile in hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22150/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 60 together.

I would like to assure the Deputies that tackling Health care Associated Infections (HCAIs), including Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), continues to be a priority for the Government and for the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The recommendations referred to by the Deputies are contained in the Guidelines for the Surveillance, Management and Control of C. difficile-associated disease which were published on 22nd May by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. They give national guidance and deal with the isolation of C. difficile ribotype 027 for the first time in Irish hospitals. They will be a valuable resource in assisting in the prevention, management and control of this infectious disease. The HSE is considering the report at present to decide on its implementation and I have asked to be kept informed of progress on this matter.

As the Deputies will be aware, 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 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 health care 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.

C. difficile was not, up to now, a notifiable disease and, as a result, it was difficult to quantify the extent of infection in the health care system. However, it was examined in the Third Prevalence Survey of Health Care Associated Infections (HCAIs) in acute hospitals in 2006. The survey found that thirty-six patients had C. difficile representing 0.5% of patients studied. In March 2008, the Chief Medical Officer of my Department instructed the HSE to make C. difficile a notifiable disease and since May 4 all cases are required to be notified to the relevant Department of Public Health. The number of cases reported to date is within the range identified in the 2006 Survey. The HSE will continue to monitor the data closely.

While accepting that not all HCAIs are preventable, I am satisfied that significant steps are being taken to reduce the rates of HCAIs generally and to treat them promptly when they occur.