It is even different from that I provided to the Deputy on the previous occasion I answered questions on this matter.
League tables have their uses. However, I do not want a situation to develop where the more proactive hospitals will lose out because they are taking more precautions. We must be careful in respect of that matter.
I stated on the previous occasion that it is extraordinary that the main cause of MRSA is the failure of so many people in hospital environments to observe basic rules relating to hand hygiene and other forms of hygiene. If this matter involved the putting in place of high technology, we would probably have done so long ago or there would have been many calls for us take action in that regard. However, it involves something rather simple. I am extremely concerned about this matter.
I am informed by the medical advisers in my Department that people who contract MRSA mainly die because of the underlying causes connected to the original illness which led to their being in a hospital environment. I do not have statistics or figures at my disposal regarding the number of people who died purely as a result of MRSA. I am strongly advised that it is the underlying condition rather than MRSA which causes death.
I am not happy with the situation and we intend to give the new quality authority a strong role in respect of standards. Hygiene is one of the obvious standards. We need a standards body so that basic hygiene, both in terms of the activities of personnel and the cleanliness of buildings and their surroundings, is observed to the highest possible standard. As stated previously, we pay a great deal of money for these services and we need to ensure that we get what we pay for.