20 October 2005 

Justice

 Cases of MRSA in Prisoners

Ciarán Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there have been any confirmed or reported cases of MRSA in prisons; the protocols which are in place in the prison medical service to deal with such an event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. 

Minister For Justice, Equality and Law Reform:  

A small number of cases of MRSA have been diagnosed in prisoners.  These have all occurred in prisoners who have been patients in external hospitals for specialist treatment.  All cases have been treated in line with the particular clinical indications either directly by prison healthcare staff or in consultation with relevant external specialist services.  A policy guideline, reflecting public health guidelines in dealing with MRSA, has been issued for the attention of all prison healthcare staff.