asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many cases of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were reported in National Health Service hospitals in (a) 2005, and (b) 2006.[HL1418]

Since April 2001, all acute National Health Service trusts in England have been obliged to report all cases of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteraemias under the mandatory surveillance scheme.

National, regional and individual trust data were published for the years 2001-02 to 2005-06 (the latest available data) in the Health Protection Agency's Mandatory Surveillance of Healthcare Associated Infections Report 2006, available at www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/hai/MandSurvHCAI2006.pdf.

The annual total of MRSA bacteraemias for the period April 2004 to March 2005 was 7,233. The annual total of MRSA bacteraemias for the period April 2005 to March 2006 was 7,087.

MRSA data for the period up to September 2006 have been published on the Health Protection Agency website, available at www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/hai/Mandatory_Results_Jan_2007.htm.

A copy of the document referred to above has been placed in the Library.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many cases of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were reported in National Health Service mental illness hospitals in (a) 2005, and (b) 2006.[HL1419]

This information is not collected centrally. National Health Service mental health trusts are not included in the mandatory surveillance schemes for healthcare-associated infections, including methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).