To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the performance of the relevant strategic health authority in relation to each outbreak of clostridium difficile at Maidstone hospital. (168634)

[holding answer 27 November 2007]: The Healthcare Commission report of their Investigation into outbreaks of clostridium difficile at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust included an assessment of the role of the south east coast strategic health authority (SHA). It included no specific recommendations for the SHA.