"Removed from waiting list because of MRSA..."

I had read before attending a pre-operative assessment the fanaticism the NHS now places towards hospital infection controls. The treatment for these super-bugs do carry side effects for patients and I always believe the patient should have the final say in what treatment they receive. After carefully studying the data and information on risk and benefit I decided not to be screened for MRSA. I knew this may prompt a longer consultation to explore my decision. However. I was amazed to discover the Stockport NHS trust policy is to refuse treatment to patients who do not comply with MRSA screening. I have been referred back to my GP. I must now either subject myself to potentially harmful screening if I want to go ahead with my surgery at my local hospital. The hospital gives no tolerance to personal choice. They never use to test for MRSA but now they do and it is compulsory. I feel sad I am being forced to have what I consider is unnecessary and harmful tests, not related to my surgery, just to be able to have medical treatment referred to by my GP. Stockport does not believe in patient consent to treatment which is agreement freely given. http://www.stockport.nhs.uk/websitedocs/PolicyforElectiveMRSAScreeningMar09.pdf