To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were screened for healthcare-acquired infections in (a) Hemel Hempstead and (b) Hertfordshire in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. (270379)

This information is not held centrally. However, from 1 April this year the national health service has been screening all relevant elective admissions for meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and will be expanding this to include emergency admissions by 2011.

It is not appropriate to screen for all health care associated infections, and screening for health care associated infections other than MRSA is a matter for local determination according to clinical appropriateness and risk.