To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the additional £270 million that he has allocated to tackle healthcare associated infections by 2010-11 will be available in (a) 2008-09 and (b) 2009-10. (179117)

The Department will provide £80 million in funding in 2008-09, £200 million in 2010-11 and £270 million in 2010-11, a total of £550 million of additional funding over three years, to support the strategy to improve infection prevention and control and improve cleanliness in the national health service.

For elements of the strategy which require local investments by a primary care trust (PCTs) or trusts, the funding will be reflected in future PCT allocations and tariff uplifts. PCT allocations and the national tariff have been issued for 2008-09 and will be issued for 2009-10 and 2010-11 in due course.