§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her oral answer of 11 March,Official Report, column 1107, to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside, if she will carry out a full review of the recent AIDS doctor case in Bolton; if she will make it her policy to review the existing guidelines so as to allow doctors' names to be published and to establish a duty on health workers to report known AIDS cases among colleagues; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe Department is reviewing guidance in the light of the recent HIV/AIDS cases among health care workers, including the Bolton doctor.
Health care workers have the same rights to medical confidentiality as any patient. Health care workers also have an ethical duty not to place their patients at risk. If they undertake invasive procedures and suspect or know that they are HIV positive, they must remain under close medical supervision and obtain occupational advice on the possible need to alter their practices. If physicians are aware that an infected health care worker under their care has not followed advice to modify their practice, they must inform the relevant authority. Forthcoming departmental guidance on the management of infected health care workers will clarify advice on confidentiality.