To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects money allocated to the University hospital of North Durham to tackle MRSA to be spent. (178714)

To support ongoing improvements in improving cleanliness and tackling infections, the comprehensive spending review (CSR) identified £270 million additional funding per year by 2010-11. For 2008-09, this additional funding is reflected in the 5.5 per cent. increase in primary care trust allocations and the 2.3 per cent. uplift to the national tariff—the latter specifically recognising the importance of tackling health care acquired infections and improving cleanliness. Ultimately spending decisions are taken by local trusts.

The information is not held centrally.