§ Mr. Michael Cocksasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidance is being given at present to avoid serum hepatitis ; and what finance he is making available to implement any necessary precautions.
§ Mr. Alison: Infective jaundice was made a notifiable disease in 1968 to enable medical officers of health to inquire into the epidemiological background of cases. Each intermittent dialysis unit, where the risk of serum hepatitis is a particular problem, has established a code of practice based on guidance from the Public Health Laboratory Service. My right hon. Friend has recently asked Regional Hospital Boards to arrange to start testing all blood donations for the presence of Australia antigen, which is thought to be associated with the cause of serum hepatitis, and has issued advice on the safety precautions to be taken. Some Boards have already begun to test blood donations. The costs will be met from Boards' annual allocations of funds.