§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what studies have been commissioned by his Department into the incidence of or potential for occupational morbidity amongst professional health care staff involved in the care and treatment of people with HIV and AIDS.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyNo studies have been commissioned by the Department. However, since 1986 the communicable disease surveillance centre has been undertaking, through voluntary reporting, surveillance of accidental injuries in which health care workers are exposed to the blood or body fluids of patients who are infected with HIV. Additionally, routine surveillance of AIDS cases and laboratory reports of positive HIV antibody test include reported mode of transmission.