§ Mr. Burstow:To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) purpose and (b) cost is of the high security infectious diseases unit; and if he will make a statement. [142239]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson:There are two high security infectious disease units in the United Kingdom, one in London at Coppett's Wood Hospital and one in Newcastle at the Newcastle General Hospital. They provide the UK's specialist facilities to care for patients suffering from rare, highly infectious and dangerous diseases such as Ebola and Lassa Fevers.
The Department provides funding for the running costs of the high security infectious disease units. This is currently £454,000 plus £47,000 (Scottish Executive contribution) per annum.
These units exist as a contingency arrangement. Sufficient medical, nursing and laboratory staff, who are routinely involved in the treatment, care and diagnosis of patients with infectious diseases, are on call for the medium and high security infectious disease units. This ensures that they maintain equipment and participate in regular training exercises so that the units remain in a state of readiness to admit and care for patients securely, in the event of need.