The VTEC/E.coli O157 Action Plan 2013-2017 has been published this morning and is available on the Scottish Government website.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/11/8897
By way of background, in 2010 Scottish Ministers decided to convene a multidisciplinary VTEC/E. coli O157 Action Group. The Group’s main remit has been to produce an Action Plan for Scotland. The Group brought together all relevant agencies with expertise and regulatory responsibilities in controlling potential sources of human infection. The Action Plan aims to reduce the number of infections with VTEC/E. coli O157 through 86 recommendations attributed to key agencies. The Action Group adopted a new approach, using a systematic logical framework to describe each stage in the pathways of transmission of the organism from animal to human case. This has provided strategic direction for the wide range of key partners to collaborate on the implementation of practical recommendations that aim to reduce the risk of infection based on current evidence of effectiveness. It also provides a comprehensive framework that will be used by the Action Plan Group to monitor compliance with and effectiveness of interventions to control VTEC/E. coli O157.
These recommendations have been accepted by Scottish Ministers which now fall on the Scottish Government to carry out, and we are looking to the other agencies involved to ensure that consistent and effective action is taken to deliver those actions for which they are responsible. There are recommendations within the Action Plan which require input and action from your organisation and the Scottish Government is seeking your co-operation to deliver these in conjunction with the VTEC/E.coli O157 Action Group.
Should you wish to discuss further please contact Simon Cuthbert-Kerr, Health Protection Team, Scottish Government – simon.cuthbert-kerr@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
