§ Mr. Bill Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Government have any plans for the setting up of AIDS units in Scotland.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythWe have decided to set aside funds within the health programme to enable hospital units to be established in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee to care for AIDS patients. The health boards concerned are being asked to submit detailed plans, including costings, as soon as possible and we shall he making specific allocations to meet additional capital and running costs in 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91 of 15-bed units in Edinburgh and Glasgow and a 10-bed unit in Dundee.
In reaching the view that these units should be set up, we have taken account of the recommendations of the working party under the general manager of Lothian health board which we set up last November to examine the health service implications of HIV infection in Scotland. The Government's response to the report has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and is being sent to all health boards asking them to take account of the recommendations in their forward planning for AIDS and HIV infection.