Patient Examinations

Mr. Gordon Prentice
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to remind hospital doctors of the necessity of washing their hands after examining patients. [80047]

Ms Jowell
Health Circular 1999/049, which was issued to the National Health Service on 5 March this year, referred to and enclosed a copy of advice on handwashing produced by representatives of the relevant professional bodies. Copies of both the Health Circular and the advice are available in the Library.