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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hospital Staff.

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

511 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has been assured by the Western Health Board that all front line staff have protection against hepatitis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19983/02]

I understand from the Western Health Board that it is the policy to offer vaccination to all staff at risk from hepatitis A and B where it is recognised as an occupational hazard.

An educational programme and an information pack is also supplied relating to hepatitis B. Staff who decline hepatitis B vaccination are required to sign a disclaimer form, while being made aware that they can avail of the vaccination at any time in the future should they have a change of mind. All new employees, whose work requires them to carry out exposure prone procedures, must provide documentary evidence that they are not infectious carriers of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), and a clear protocol for screening of new staff is in place.

With regard to hepatitis C, no vaccine is currently available but I understand that in the Western Health Board a policy to prevent its transmission is adhered to which is based on standardised precautions including the use of barrier and safety equipment.

I have been advised by the Western Health Board that, when incidents of infection arise amongst existing staff, confidential counselling by the occupational physician is made available.

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