David Ruffley MP has today written to Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, demanding the immediate investigation into a leading surgical hand scrub, widely used by surgeons prior to operating, after test results showed it had very little effect against MRSA.

Suffolk based company Clinimax, a company specialising in infection control products, tested the leading hand scrub against their own Cleankill at two independent UK laboratories. The leading brand failed 3 of the 4 tests, using the current NHS test (PR EN 12054), while Cleankill passed all 4 tests.

David Ruffley has, therefore, taken the matter up with Patricia Hewitt asking her to urgently look into the matter.

David said:

'These are some shocking test results compiled by a Suffolk company. Both health professionals and the public are deeply concerned by the threat of MRSA and the revelation that the most widely used surgical hand scrub may be ineffective against it will do little to alleviate this concern.

'I have, therefore, taken the matter up urgently with the Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, demanding that she look into the matter.'