E.coli chair's information search

Prof Pennington is asking about changes to business inspections

The man chairing the public inquiry into Wales' largest E.coli outbreak is asking for further views as he works on his final recommendations.

One boy died and more than 150 people became ill in the outbreak in schools across south Wales in late 2005.

Microbiologist Prof Hugh Pennington is studying evidence already given but wants more details from regulatory bodies of current practices.

He is asking for a "comprehensive and up-to-date picture of any changes."

Five-year-old Mason Jones from Deri near Bargoed, Caerphilly County was the one fatal victim of the outbreak which began almost three years ago, and became the UK's second largest.

Butcher William Tudor, from Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan was given a year's sentence for supplying contaminated meat to primary schools across the valleys of south Wales.

Photos shown in public submissions to the inquiry which ended in May revealed the unhygienic conditions in the Bridgend factory, with congealed blood on machines and pieces of raw meat left on the floor.

VIEWS SOUGHT ON EMERGING ISSUES The inquiry asks from Bridgend Council "a full factual description" of policies, practices and procedures for inspecting food business premises Details of use of equipment including vac-packers to pack both raw and cooked meats Views from the Food Safety Agency on current audit procedures What changes in Meat Hygiene Service's monitoring of slaughterhouses Assembly government on progress of strategy for dealing with communicable diseases and Chief Medical Officer's Review Update wanted from Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil and RCT councils on school toilet hygiene procedures Source: E.coli Public Inquiry

The families involved have spoken of their determination that the outbreak should not be repeated.

Prof Pennington has now issued a "note of emerging issues" seeking more information from participants in the inquiry.

He said: "My first task was to investigate thoroughly the circumstances that led to the outbreak before considering any recommendations I feel are necessary to prevent a similar outbreak in future.

While reviewing evidence from the public hearings , the professor said a number of issues have emerged.

"To assist me consider these in the context of any recommendations I need to make, I have asked participants in the inquiry to provide me with a comprehensive and up-to-date picture of any changes that have been made to systems and procedures since the outbreak and any others that are planned," Prof Pennington added.

Among the issues, the inquiry chairman asks Bridgend Council about its current policies and practices on inspecting food business premises, like those operated by butcher John Tudor & Son.

The inquiry's public hearings heard how a machine was used to pack both raw and cooked meats, and Prof Pennington is also asking for information about the use of equipment.

His other questions include some to the Food Safety Agency and the Meat Hygiene Service, as well as to the National Public Health Service for Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government about outbreak control.

He also says he would welcome information from the local authorities who took part about the current practices and procedures to ensure toilets in school are as hygienic as possible.

The professor said he would also like to hear from organisations that have already expressed an interest in contributing to the inquiry or from anyone with relevant information.

However, he warned the note does not set out his findings and should not be taken as any indication of what they will eventually be.

There has been no official date set for the publication of Prof Pennington's report, although it is widely expected later this year.