To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects all NHS and independent sector treatment centres to be compliant with the provisions of the EU Directive on Medical Devices in relation to the sterilisation of surgical instruments. (284430)

Both national health service and independent sector treatment centres are required to comply with the provisions of the EU Medical Devices Directive. This compliance is monitored by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) who expect both sectors to have in place action plans where their self-assessments or declarations conclude that there is not full compliance. The CQC will follow up instances where non-compliance is declared or where the CQC has information that there may not be full compliance with standards.