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Disease Control

Volume 474: debated on Thursday 3 April 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued on the appointment of authorised persons to inspect (a) central sterile stores and (b) management of infection control. (197642)

The Department has issued guidance on the management and environment for the decontamination of reusable medical devices in “Health Technical Memorandum (HTM) 01-01): Decontamination of reusable medical devices”. Part A of HTM 01-01 identifies the functional responsibilities including ‘Authorised Persons (Decontamination)’ to ensure equipment is operated safely and efficiently. A copy of HTM 01-01 Part A has been placed in the Library.

The role of the Director of Infection Prevention and Control (DIPC) was first set out in “Winning Ways—working together to reduce healthcare associated infection in England” a report by the Chief Medical Officer which was published in December 2003. A copy of this publication is available in the Library. Guidance on competences for DIPCs was issued in May 2004.