Prevention is the best cure for MRSA

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 11th May 2004

Speaking in a parliamentary debate tomorrow afternoon (12 May) about the hospital acquired infection, MRSA, Tom Brake, the MP for Carshalton and Wallington will raise the case of Rosemary Edward's father, Mr Thomas Alun Edwards, who died in a nursing home after being discharged from St Helier Hospital. During his stay at St Helier Hospital Mr Edwards was diagnosed as being a carrier of MRSA.

Mr Brake said, "MRSA affects some 100,000 patients each year, and is responsible for around 5,000 patient deaths and costs the NHS upwards of 1 billion pounds a year.

"I will be seeking answers from Health Minister, Melanie Johnson MP, on the Government's record on tackling this superbug. The Government is failing to provide the money and staff needed to ensure the highest standards of hygiene and infection control in our hospital wards.

NHS patients and staff deserve to know whether any progress is being made on controlling healthcare associated infection (HAI) and I will be urging the Government to conduct a national audit of deaths from HAI.

I will also be pressing the Government to look at other methods of controlling MRSA such as Bioquell."