Hepatitis B (Hansard, 29 March 1993)

§ Dr. Marek
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has about the cost to the NHS of screening a patient for hepatitis B.

§ Mr. Sackville
Such costs vary between laboratories. The cost of materials for a basic screen is about £4, and a final cost including overheads is likely to be between £10 and £20.

§ Dr. Marek
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were found to be positive for hepatitis B antigen following screening as a result of being treated by the surgeon in Stafford.

§ Mr. Sackville
In addition to the original case at Stafford which led to the investigations, one further patient has been found at Stafford with evidence of recent hepatitis B infection, together with several others who show evidence of hepatitis B in their past history. Investigations are continuing to determine whether any of these infections can be shown to be linked to hospital treatment.

§ Dr. Marek
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the total cost of recall of patients for hepatitis B screening treated by the surgeon in Stafford, both at his current and previous hospitals of employment.

§ Mr. Sackville
I understand the estimated cost to date of screening patients from Stafford district general hospital is £1,100.
The cost of screening patients from the Crosshouse hospital in Kilmarnock and the Ayrshire central hospital in Irvine is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.
32W

§ Dr. Marek
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken to offer compensation to patients who have acquired hepatitis from their surgeons.

§ Mr. Sackville
None. Compensation in relation to alleged failures in hospital treatment is a matter to be considered by the relevant health authority or trust.

§ Dr. Marek
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has as to the number and percentage of surgeons who have been vaccinated against hepatitis B.

§ Dr. Mawhinney
I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Bristol, South (Ms Primarolo) on 24 March at column619.