text_body: --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  <p>The Aye-voters passed the changed motion:</p>
  
  <p class="indent">This House welcomes the Government's commitment to ensure that patients can have confidence that National Health Service hospitals are clean, safe environments with infection firmly under control; congratulates the Government on its action plans for reducing infection rates, 'Winning Ways' and <a href="http://www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidanceArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4085649&chk=yph9nL"> 'Towards cleaner hospitals and lower rates of infection'</a>, which include the new target for a year-on-year reduction in MRSA, and the designation of directors of infection prevention and control to bring about local change; notes that the <a href="http://www.nao.org.uk/pn/03-04/0304876.htm">National Audit Office report</a> concluded that the introduction in 2001 of mandatory MRSA surveillance raised the profile of infection control with senior managers; expects that the new target will act in a similar way, and deplores therefore the suggestion that the target be abolished; acknowledges that improving patient safety is a difficult medical issue that calls for the hard work and care that is the hallmark of NHS staff; welcomes therefore the 77,500 extra nurses and almost 19,400 extra doctors that have become a part of patient care since 1997; and therefore congratulates the Government on a comprehensive programme of investment and reform that has equipped the NHS to deliver improvements in patient safety, and to reduce hospital-acquired infections.</p>
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  
  <p>Question accordingly negatived.</p>
  
  <p class="italic">Question, That the proposed words be there added, put forthwith, pursuant to <phrase class="standing-order" code="31">Standing Order No. 31 (Questions on amendments)</phrase>:&#8212;</p>
  
  <p><i>The House divided:</i> Ayes 291, Noes 177.</p>
  
  