§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether premature babies discharged from Guys and St. Thomas' Hospital in the last three months who were given the first course of their preventive treatment for respiratory syncytial virus will continue to receive that treatment by the hospital until their course is completed. [143682]
1134W
§ Mr. HuttonGuy's and St Thomas' National Health Service Hospital Trust has confirmed that all babies who meet the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) criteria for preventative treatment for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), including those for whom a programme has already been initiated, will have their full course of injections provided by the hospital. The protocol in use is the same as that used by other neonatal units in the Region.
A second group of eight babies, who do not fulfil the criteria set out by the JCVI, were given the first dose at the hospital. The trust has reviewed the evidence and guidelines for this group in discussion with primary care trusts (PCTs) and parents, and is deciding on a case-by-case basis whether or not to continue the treatment.
The trust has agreed with PCTs that it will not commence any new RSV courses which fall outside the current criteria without prior agreement with the regional specialist on infectious disease and agreement with the PCTs on funding for the whole course.