HC Deb 02 December 1985 vol 88 cc1-2W
Mr. Sims

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further plans he has to help in the fight against acquired immune deficiency syndrome; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Fowler

The Government regard reduction of the rate of spread of this serious virus infection as a matter of very high priority. We have already taken important steps.

First, we have improved the safety of blood and blood products supplied through the blood transfusion service. All Factor VIII and IX clotting agents derived from pooled plasma used by haemophiliacs are heat treated; all donations of whole blood are screened for antibodies to the AIDS virus. Second, detailed advice on the disease, how to help those infected, and how to avoid infection has gone to health professionals. Third, counselling and testing services have been introduced in the National Health Service. Fourth, information is being provided to those at risk by the Government—funded Health Education Council, and by the key voluntary organisations—the Terrence Higgins trust and the Haemophilia Society. Both of those organisations receive Government grants. Fifth, this year we have provided an extra £1.8 million for the development and use of a test for the AIDS virus, a special allocation to the three Thames regions and haemophilia centres, additional money for voluntary organisations and for the training of councillors.

I am now announcing an allocation of an additional £6.3 million to support a package of measures to help those already infected and to reduce the number who become infected.

First £2½ million for a national information campaign to begin next Spring and run throughout the year. The campaign will be directed at the public in general and this will be coupled with a series of targetted campaigns for those known to be at special risk. The aim is to improve understanding of the disease and the ways in which its spread can be controlled. The necessary preliminary research and testing is already under way.

Second £2.5 million to help the three Thames regional health authorities, who will still next year carry the heaviest burden of the disease, to provide the necessary treatment and counselling services.

Third £270,000 for the six haemophiliac reference centres in England to continue support for the specialist counselling services which they have set up.

Fourth £100,000 for training health professionals in the counselling of AIDS sufferers. Courses have already been set up at St. Mary's hospital, Paddington, and these will continue along with new ones in Birmingham and Newcastle.

Fifth £750,000 for the public health laboratory service to continue its work in testing blood samples provided by the national blood transfusion service or the NHS for the presence of the AIDS virus.