§ Patrick MercerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to prevent contamination in the event of a terrorist attack using biological agents. [88386]
§ Mr. HuttonEmergency service personnel will play a central role in dealing with any possible contamination, in the event of a potential attack using biological agents. To this end all the 'blue light' emergency services have been provided with suitable personal protective equipment to protect them against the effects of contamination in the event of a bio-terrorism attack. Protocols for washing down and decontamination of emergency service and national service personnel, the public and premises have been developed with the fire service. The NHS already has in place sound working procedures to deal with biological agents, the spread of infectious diseases and to deal with contaminated equipment and premises. The advice of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens will be sought on how to tackle any new risks from dangerous pathogens should they emerge.
§ Patrick MercerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent training has been provided to NHS personnel to deal with a terrorist incident involving biological agents. [88395]
§ Mr. HuttonPublic health guidance was issued to regional directors of public health in October 2001. General guidance "Planning for Major Incidents: The NHS Guidance" issued by the Department is now openly available on the Department's websitewww.doh.gov.uk/epcu/cbr/intro.htm with links to complementary guidance on dealing with key biological 884W agents and investigating unusual illnesses on the Public Health Laboratory Service website www.phls.co.uk/ topics az/deliberate release/menu.htm. In addition, four specialties have been targeted for immediate training in dealing with the deliberate release of a biological agent: consultants in communicable disease, infectious disease physicians, clinical microbiologists/virologists and accident and emergency (A&E) physicians. Training has started and is being developed further. The Department has consulted with the relevant royal colleges concerning the training it is doing and with the British Infection Society. Training programmes have been devised for primary care trusts and general practitioners and are due to be piloted in Eastern region in early 2003.
Specific training materials such as videos and information packs have also been prepared for occupational health physicians and other clinicians involved in implementation of the national smallpox plan which is available on the Department's website.
§ Patrick MercerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he is giving to the public on action in the event of a terrorist attack using biological agents. [88398]
§ Mr. HuttonAdvice about key biological agents is available to the public on the Department's website www.doh.gov.uk/epcu/cbr/intro.htm with links to complementary guidance on the Public Health Laboratory Service website www.phls.co.uk/topics az/ deliberate release/menu.htm. Information leaflets concerning the deliberate release of smallpox, plague, anthrax, tularaemia and botulism have been prepared and will be made available to the public in the event of any outbreak. The Department is working across government to develop further public information. A wide range of techniques is being considered to find the most effective way to convey information to the public, such as posters and the internet, to help people maintain vigilance and prepare for the consequences of terrorist acts.