Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 May 2018
407. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to assigning a specialist task force to monitor and control the spread of superbugs in University Hospital Limerick in view of the very serious deficiencies reported in the management and control of CPE in the September 2017 HIQA inspection report of the hospital in particular (details supplied). [23350/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) has been a significant patient safety and public health priority for the Department of Health for numerous years.
I convened the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in October 2017, as a public health response to the CPE superbug. CPE has been declared as a public health emergency, so that it is managed in line with the Public Health Plans which have been previously put in place for influenza. The NPHET will continue to meet regularly until the Department is assured that the HSE is managing CPE effectively, including screening, surveillance and management of outbreaks.
My Department has also provided funding to expand the HSE HCAI/AMR National Team and with regard to CPE, a HSE Implementation Team has now been established and has been resourced by the Department. Implementation Leads will progress the work of the Implementation Team, across the Hospital Groups and Community Healthcare Organisations. My department has also provided funding for additional capacity in the Infection Prevention Control Team in University Hospital Limerick.
I launched Ireland's National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2017-2020 (iNAP) on 25 October last with Minister Michael Creed, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, as a whole of government approach to tacking AMR. The actions taken via NPHET also support iNAP implementation.
