Written Answers. - HIV Testing of Doctors.
Helen Keogh
Question:
67
Ms Keogh
asked the
Minister for Health
if he intends to introduce mandatory testing for HIV among non-consultant hospital doctors; the other measures, if any, he intends to take to protect the public in view of the recent discovery that a non-EU doctor was working while he suffered from hepatitis B; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25064/96]
Limerick East): The advisory group on the transmission of infectious diseases was established with the following terms of reference: “to advise the Minister for Health regarding the prevention of the transmission of infectious diseases in health care settings”.
In common with my ministerial colleagues I commission a number of reports each year. There is no general expectation that all of these reports will be published. Many of them are simply regarded as an input to the policy formulation process, and their advice and recommendations may be incorporated in other documents which are published or circulated to interested parties. I understand that this very question of publication was raised at the first meeting of the advisory group and that it was agreed that the group's role was to submit a report to me. It would then be a matter for me to decide what subsequent action was appropriate.
Following consideration of the report of the advisory group within the Department of Health, a circular was issued to all health agencies advising them of screening procedures for hepatitis B to be introduced from 1 January 1997 for new employees in posts which involve exposure-prone procedures. This circular takes account of the relevant recommendations of the advisory group. However, in view of the concerns which have been raised in this whole area, I have decided to make the advisory group's report available by placing a copy in the Library of the House, and it will also be circulated to interested parties.
There are several other complex issues, including the issue of mandatory testing, which need to be examined in relation to existing and new health service employees who may have or develop infectious diseases, such as hepatitis C and HIV. In addition, I believe that there is a need for a central resource which will develop and oversee the implementation of Protocols for dealing with incidents involving infected health care workers, and which will also be available as a source of ready advice and guidance to health agencies dealing with such problems. I am, accordingly, establishing a group, to be chaired by Dr. Jim Kiely, deputy chief medical officer, which will, not later than 31 March 1997, report to me on the further measures which need to be taken in relation to a range of issues not addressed by the advisory group, and which will also function as a central resource for the foreseeable future.
This group will,inter alia, work closely with the Medical Council and An Bord Altranais to ensure that there is an integrated and complementary approach to dealing with the service, personnel, ethical and legal matters arising for health care workers and patients in relation to infectious diseases. The other members of the group are Dr. Gerard Sheehan, Dr. Fiona Mulcahy, Dr. Karina Butler, Dr. Brian O'Herlihy, Professor William Hall, Dr. Denis Cusack and Mr. Brendan Phelan. A senior infection control nurse will also be appointed to the group. I thank all the members of the group for promptly agreeing to discharge this difficult task of great importance to their colleagues and the public.
The group report will be published promptly after its completion and there will be widespread consultation with all interested organisations. The public will also be invited to submit comments on the report. This process will be concluded by the end of June 1997 and policy decisions will then be taken quickly.
