§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue guidance to public services and voluntary organisations about the transmission of acquired immune deficiency syndrome by saliva where resuscitation is a possibility.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWhile there is limited scientific evidence to show that the AIDS-associated virus HTLVIII exists in saliva, no case has ever been reported in this country or abroad where AIDS has been transmitted in this way.
Nevertheless we are liaising closely with the central departments responsible for the emergency services and the prison service, to assist them in reviewing existing procedures for resuscitation. The prison medical service will shortly be issuing guidelines for use by prison health professionals and prison officers dealing with AIDS patients. We are also in touch with voluntary organisations providing first aid services and will be advising them of precautions their staff might take.
§ Mr. Chopeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what steps he has taken to ensure that from now on no one receiving a transfusion of blood supplied by the National Health Service will be at risk of contracting acquired immune deficiency syndrome therefrom;
66W(2) if he will introduce legislation to provide for criminal sanctions against persons who supply blood to the Blood Transfusion Service knowing or believing that they are suffering from acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe National Health Service does not use imported blood obtained from paid donors. In this country we have an entirely voluntary system of blood collection. There is no financial or other incentive for our voluntary donors to put others at risk. Legislation is therefore not needed to deter those at high risk from AIDS from giving blood. The Government have taken steps to make it absolutely clear to such donors and potential donors that they should not give blood.
There is only a very remote chance of contracting AIDS from ordinary blood transfusions given in hospitals. Nevertheless, in addition we hope that screening tests to detect the presence in blood of antibodies to the AIDS related virus will be available for general use later this year. We shall thoroughly evaluate the tests on offer to see which is the most suitable for use in the National Health Service. In anticipation of these developments we have advised regional health authorities to set aside funds in 1985–86 to enable blood transfusion centres to test all blood donations as soon as possible. Testing all donations will reduce the risk still further.
§ Mr. Chopeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to offer compensation to persons who contract acquired immune deficiency syndrome as a result of receiving contaminated blood supplied by the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThere is only a very remote chance of contracting AIDS from ordinary blood transfusions. There has never been a general state scheme to compensate those who suffer the unavoidable adverse effects which can unhappily arise from many medical procedures.