To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he expects MRSA screening for all elective patients to be in place by March 2009. (240911)

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of progress made towards meeting his Department's target for all elective admissions to hospitals to be screened for MRSA by March 2009; and what steps he takes to monitor such progress. (240741)

The Department has issued guidance covering methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) screening and expects all trusts to be screening relevant elective patients from April 2009 when our national commitment commences.

The Department has a temporary national screening data collection system providing information on screening activity. This system is monitored to assess progress.

The national health service is expected to have appropriate local assurances in place from April 2009 to ensure screening is taking place.