Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of overcrowding in emergency departments on infection control.

All health and social care providers have statutory obligations, set out in the Health and Social Care Act 2008: code of practice on the prevention and control of infections, to undertake steps to keep patients, residents, and staff safe. Ensuring patient and public safety in all areas where healthcare is provided is a priority, and infection prevention and control (IPC) is a core component of safe, high-quality care, regardless of care setting. More information about these obligations is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-health-and-social-care-act-2008-code-of-practice-on-the-prevention-and-control-of-infections-and-related-guidance

The National infection prevention and control manual for England contains guidance on Standard Infection Control Precautions, which are to be used by all staff, in all care settings, at all times, for all patients whether infection is known to be present or not. This manual is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/national-infection-prevention-and-control-manual-nipcm-for-england/