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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 17 Dec 1996

Vol. 473 No. 1

Written Answers. - Communicable Diseases Report.

Liz O'Donnell

Ceist:

29 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health when he intends to publish the advisory group report on communicable diseases screening for medical personnel; the discussions, if any, he has held with the representative organisations in this regard; and the further proposals, if any, he intends to introduce following the introduction of compulsory hepatitis B screening for all new health service employees. [24513/96]

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

109 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health, in view of a recent revelation that a doctor infected with the hepatitis B virus had been working in a Dublin operating theatre, the steps, if any, he is taking to prevent such a recurrence. [24450/96]

Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 109 together.

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 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 concern 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.

As regards consultation on the report, the two organisations representing the medical profession each had three representatives on the advisory group and so were fully involved in the process of drawing up the recommendations. As the circular which has now issued seeks to implement the group's recommendations, further consultation was not required.
There are several other complex issues which need to be examined in relation to existing and new health service employees who may have or develop infections diseases, such as hepatitis C and HIV. In addition, I believe that there is a need for a central resources 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 resources 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 group's 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.
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