HL Deb 21 March 2002 vol 632 cc1469-70

3.6 p.m.

Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How much the National Health Service has paid out in early retirement costs and compensation payments for those forced to leave their jobs due to latex-related allergies.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)

My Lords, information on the costs of early retirement or compensation payments due to specific medical conditions is not available centrally, although the extra cost of retirement through ill health in the NHS has been calculated at £60,000 per employee retired. Of the 4,482 staff who left the service on grounds of ill health during 2000–01, some 1.7 per cent were due to skin allergies, some of which may have been attributable to latex.

Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. Is he aware that many workers in the health service are extremely worried about latex allergies? It is not only a question of latex gloves, but also of the latex used in many other areas of a hospital. Does lie agree that, since alternative materials are available—for example, for latex gloves—it would be wise for hospitals to provide such alternatives for those workers who are worried about exposure to latex? To inform the House, I should say that latex can cause skin disease, but it can also trigger conditions such as asthma and other respiratory problems.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

My Lords, my noble friend is right to suggest that latex is a sensitiser and that it can pose some risk to NHS staff. However, that risk is posed to only a minority. I should also say to my noble friend that some of the alternatives to latex products also contain chemicals which can cause allergic reactions in both staff and patients. The European Commission working group on latex is confident that the current directive provides sufficient protection for patients and staff if it is fully and properly implemented. However, in the light of the Question put by my noble friend and the concerns that she has expressed, the Government are announcing today their intention to reissue guidance to the NHS, thus drawing employers' attention to the problem and to the alternatives to latex that are now available. The guidance stresses the need for staff and management to work together to assess the risks in each case.

Lord Clement-Jones

My Lords, the Minister has talked about guidance, but what steps are being taken by the NHS to centrally source supplies of low-allergy products?

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

My Lords, I am glad that the noble Lord has recognised the need for some central action in the health service. A central purchasing agency making decisions at central government level provides the option for the NHS to enter individual contracts. Part of the role of the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency is to ensure that alternatives to latex products are made available.

Baroness Pitkeathley

My Lords, will my noble friend ensure that when the alternatives are available they will be offered also to patients' visitors? In cases where people are being barrier nursed, visitors have to put on gloves and aprons.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

My Lords, that is a very useful suggestion. It is one of the considerations that local employers should take into account when implementing the guidance that we issue to the NHS and in developing a risk assessment strategy.

Baroness Trumpington

My Lords, can the Minister say what kinds of products contain latex? I always thought it existed in corsets.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

My Lords, the noble Baroness will know more about that than I do. Such products include surgical gloves, urological sheaths, and various instruments and products used within the health service.