§ Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the prevalence of encephalopathy amongst patients identified as suffering from AIDS.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThis information is not recorded as part of the reporting system for AIDS cases. I am advised that there are a number of reports about encephalopathy in people with AIDS in the scientific literature. These show varying prevalence rates which may reflect different patient populations and diagnostic criteria.
§ Rev. Martin SmythTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will set up a national fund to finance the provision of drugs and treatment for illnesses requiring long-term treatment such as AIDS; what representations he has received on this subject; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe costs of treatment and drugs for HIV disease and for other long-term illnesses will continue to be financed as now, by means of allocations to health authorities or through the family practitioner services, as appropriate. Pressures on services, such as those caused by HIV disease will continue to be taken into account in assessing the overall funding requirements of the NHS. There are no plans to set up a separate national fund for any specific group of illnesses; we have received no representations suggesting this course of action.