Vol. 444 No. 7
128 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concern expressed by some experts regarding his Department's guidelines in relation to the diagnosis and treatment of invasive streptococcal infections; if he intends altering the guidelines with a view to assisting in more rapid diagnosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department's chief medical officer recently contacted all hospitals, requesting that all cases of serious invasive forms of Group A Streptococcus infection should be notified to him so that ongoing surveillance can be carried out. Guidelines on the symptoms and treatment of such infections were also issued. These guidelines are under continuous review and the views of the appropriate health professionals are taken into account.
