Mulholland demands urgent investigation into MRSA outbreak at Leeds Baby Unit

12.00.00am GMT Tue 30th Oct 2007

Greg Mulholland MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Minister, has written urgent letters to the Secretary of State for Health, Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP, and the Chief Executive of the Leeds NHS Teaching Hospital Trust, Ms Maggie Boyle, to demand an urgent investigation into the outbreak of MRSA at the Leeds General Infirmary Neonatal Unit.

Commenting Greg said:

"The news of an MRSA outbreak in Leeds, particularly one which has struck vulnerable and defenceless newborn babies, is devastating.

"Everyone is all too aware that hospital-acquired infections are all too prevalent, and this is the most worrying example we have seen.

"I have written to the Secretary of State and the Chief Executive of the Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust to call urgently for a full investigation into this outbreak, so that we can quickly establish its cause and do everything possible to prevent future cases.

"It is vital that steps are urgently taken across the health service in Leeds to put in place all possible safeguards to protect our youngest and eldest from infection whilst they are being cared for.

"This outbreak also reminds us of the need for a dedicated Children's and Maternity Hospital with state-of-the-art facilities for the care of babies and children in the city."