Vol. 449 No. 8
84 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Health the action, if any, he has taken to protect the non-residential mentally handicapped population and their family contacts, in view of studies which indicate the risks to them of hepatitis B; and if he will give details of his vaccination policy for this group. [4672/95]
It has been my Department's policy since 1988 that all health care staff whose occupation exposes them to contact with blood should be offered immunisation against hepatitis B.
My colleague the Minister for Health has set up an advisory group under the chairmanship of the Chief Medical Officer of the Department to make recommendations regarding the prevention of the transmission of infectious diseases in health care settings. The Minister has asked the group to report back to him as a matter of urgency.
As the Deputy is aware, additional funding amounting to £12 million is being made available in 1995 for the further development of services for people with mental handicap. This funding will be used to provide a broad range of additional services including the provision, on a phased basis, of a hepatitis B immunisation programme for staff working in the mental handicap services and client groups who are considered to be at risk. This is in line with the commitment contained in the health strategy document.
