HC Deb 26 February 1987 vol 111 cc407-9W
Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to give advance notification of Government publicity concerning AIDS to local voluntary groups to enable organisers to be prepared for any increasing demand for their services.

Mr. Newton

It is not possible for Government to give advance warning of Government initiatives to every local voluntary organisation. However, the main elements in the Government's public education campaign have been widely publicised in advance; and health authorities, who were given full details of our plans in December last year, have been asked to work with voluntary organisations in prevention, health education and counselling in support of AIDS sufferers. The need to act quickly to educate the public about AIDS and counter the spread of infection has been paramount in our considerations.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what improvements have been agreed as a result of discussions between his Department and British Telecom to enable the public to obtain information about voluntary and public agencies giving information and counselling about AIDS; whether local directory inquiry services now hold the numbers of such local voluntary and public agencies; and whether they have been instructed to issue these numbers to callers on request;

(2) what action he is taking to promote local voluntary agencies, including Aidslines and gay switchboards, to assist those seeking information and counselling about AIDS to obtain such help locally.

Mr. Newton

As part of the national AIDS campaign, the Government have set up a national telephone advisory service on AIDS. Counsellors manning the service maintain lists of local voluntary agencies to which callers may be referred for further help and advice. It is, of course, for local organisations themselves to ensure that their telephone numbers are available through local directory inquiry services.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he has taken on matters raised in a letter sent to him on 9 January by Adam M. Mitchell-Christie, liaison officer with the West Yorkshire AIDS information exchange.

Mr. Newton

The letter raises a number of points which need to be considered in detail. A reply will be sent as soon as possible.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he proposes to issue national information leaflets about AIDS in languages other than English; in what languages such leaflets will be printed; if he will place advertisements about AIDS in British ethnic minority publications; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Newton

We are urgently considering how best to ensure that essential information about AIDS reaches people from ethnic minorities, particularly those who have difficulty reading and understanding English, in ways that are sensitive to the needs of each community. On 5 February I attended a meeting with representatives of the ethnic press at which it was apparent that straight translation of existing leaflets may not be appropriate in all cases. We will consider carefully all the views expressed in devising a strategy for carrying forward this important aspect of its public information campaign.

Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what guidelines have been issued to nursing staff regarding the treatment of AIDS sufferers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Newton

[pursuant to his reply, 16 February 1987, c. 513]: The following guidance has been issued, under cover of letters from the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO).

  1. 1. Children at School and problems relating to AIDS. (Draft) (CNO(86)1).
  2. 2. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome—AIDS—Booklet 3: Guidance for Surgeons, Anaesthetists, Dentists and their teams in dealing with patients infected with HTLVIII. April 1986 (CNO(86)7).
  3. 3. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome—AIDS—General Information for Doctors (May 1985) (CNO(86)7).
  4. 4.Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome—AIDS—Booklet 2. Information for Doctors concerning the introduction of the HTLVIII Antibody Test. (October 1985) (CNO(86)7).
  5. 5. Children at School and problems related to AIDS (revised version). Department of Education and Science and Welsh Office. (CNO(86)12).
  6. 6. Information on the guidance issued by the Royal College of Nursing, entitled AIDS Nursing Guidelines-Royal College of Nursing November 1986 (CNO(86)17).
  7. 7. Information about the latest stage of the public information campaign, to explain the current AIDS situation in the UK and to give further information about advice on testing. (CNO(86)18).