Dear Ms Moss,
I have taken over responsibility from Dr Brian Crook for dealing with your enquiry. This is because the matters you have raised are more to do with HSE's operational arm than with our HSL laboratory services. It may well be that you were not aware of the linkage between HSE and HSL. I manage the national team responsible for developing operational policy with respect to health issues in agriculture and related areas, including veterinary practices.
The HSE's Field Operations Directorate carries out enforcement of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and related statutory provisions at veterinary practices. This legislation is concerned with the health, safety and welfare of people and not animals. Infections in animals are not normally our concern. The exception is where such infections can give rise to a risk to people as a result of work activities that involve the said animals. For example in agriculture this would include the classical zoonoses such as Orf, Newcastle disease and Lyme disease. HSE's priorities are set out in a strategy that is published on our website, www.hse.gov.uk.
If you refer to the strategy you will probably gather that inspection of veterinary practices is not one of our priorities. I think this is only reasonable as they have a good health and safety record and it is right that we direct our finite resources to areas where there is a greater risk of harm. You will recall the exchanges you had with Andy Fisher of the HSE Press Office in January of this year when he advised you that we knew of no cases of animal to human transmission of MRSA.
This is not, of course, the same as saying such transmission could not happen, but it does serve to indicate that we do not appear to be facing a serious risk to human health. The Health Protection Agency (HPA) and Defra support that view, as evidenced in the Defra question and answer brief that you have made accessible on your own web site. Similarly, Dr Scott-Park, the President Elect of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) is quoted on 30 March 2005 on their web site as stating 'Current scientific evidence supports the opinion that the risk of pet-transmitted MRSA is small and that pet owners who undertake hygienic precautions are at minimal risk'
The same would apply to workers in veterinary practice. Dr Scott-Park goes on to state 'Furthermore, there are no proven recorded cases of MRSA jumping from animals to human.' And she goes on to say 'the BVA's major concern at present relates to MRSA passing from humans to animals, the more likely path'.
This echoes the views expressed in the Defra Q&A brief on your web site. Therefore, unless you have some evidence of harm to humans at the Medivet practice caused by MRSA transmission from animals treated there, then I can see no locus for action by HSE. I regret that simply stating you believe some animals have acquired MRSA infection at the practice does not amount to sufficient evidence to justify our intervention.
In terms of the risk of transmission from pet to pet, then you will be aware the situation is being monitored and investigated by Defra, HPA, BVA and the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, the latter has also produced relevant guidance for vets. f you have a complaint about the professional conduct of the practice then it should be addressed to the RCVS as the body having relevant regulatory powers under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966.
But, I am sure you already know this. I regret that my reply is likely to disappoint you, but if you feel I have misunderstood your position then please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely, Frank J Perkins HM Principal Inspector of Health and Safety Agricultural and Food Sector - Health, Education & Chemicals Section
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