Website of the Department of Health

Report of the work of the UK Advisory Panel (UKAP) for health care workers infected with blood-borne viruses

EAGA was updated on the HIV/AIDS-related work of UKAP. Two comprehensive exercises to contact patients treated by HIV-infected dental health care workers had been undertaken recently.

Guidance for local authorities and the NHS - Transmission of and testing for blood-borne viruses in children: HIV and hepatitis

EAGA were informed that the guidance was awaiting a reference to the revised IV and Infant Feeding uidance once that was finalised. An external consultation exercise was planned for September/October this year to include local authorities, health authorities and other interested parties.

Statement and Q and A on the risk of HIV transmission during oral sex

A statement on the risk of HIV transmission via oral sex with an accompanying set of Questions and Answers was circulated by the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) on 5 June on behalf of the Department of Health. It was sent to all those organisations which had received the original EAGA review of the evidence plus a number of health promotion and voluntary organisations. Members were informed that the PHLS planned to release a press statement on 4/5 July, together with a front page article in the Communicable Disease Report, on orogenital contact and transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Guidance on the risk of transmission of HIV in the education setting

Members were informed that the Secretariat was liaising with the Department for Education and Skills (DFES) to update this guidance. The plan is to publish it on the DFES website with links to the Department of Health and other websites as appropriate.

Sexual Health and HIV Strategy: HIV testing targets

Members considered a report from the HIV targets working group and their views were sought on proposed targets to reduce undiagnosed HIV infections by 50% and newly acquired HIV infections by 25% by the end of 2007. Inherent to the target to reduce undiagnosed infection is the need to offer HIV testing universally rather than selectively in Genitourinary Medicine Clinics. Members were supportive of this change in testing policy.

Vertical transmission - HIV and infant feeding

The Group commented on the latest version of the guidance updated in the light of expert advice from colleagues both inside and outside the Department. The revised guidance will be issued once EAGA's comments have been incorporated.

Progress in antenatal testing: the situation at the end of 2000

An interim report from a survey on antenatal testing policy conducted as a collaborative project between the Institute of Child Health and the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre found that substantial progress had been made on the implementation of routine antenatal testing for HIV. By February 2001, approaching 80% of responding units in the UK had a policy in place for universal antenatal testing for HIV. This progress was particularly notable for maternity units outside London, where testing was rare prior to the introduction of a national objective involving the offer and recommendation of an HIV test as a routine part of antenatal care.

Antenatal screening: disease-specific standards for HIV

Members were asked for their final comments on the draft standard for antenatal HIV testing. The HIV-specific standard, together with standards for hepatitis B, syphilis and rubella developed in parallel, will next be considered by the Antenatal Screening Sub-Group of the National Screening Committee, prior to initiating a professional consultation.

Lookback studies involving HIV-infected health care workers

EAGA received an update on the work of the joint EAGA/UKAP Working group, which had met for the first time on 9 March. Members heard also about the seminar held on 11 June, attended by representatives from all the relevant Royal Colleges and Faculties. This aimed to involve the Colleges/Faculties in the review of current policy on lookbacks at an early stage. There are 3 meetings planned for the working group and, by October, policy options would have been formulated in time to be considered at the next meeting of EAGA.

HIV post-exposure prophylaxis

EAGA discussed its guidance on Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and the issue of a patient being offered PEP following exposure to blood from a health care worker. It was agreed that a Working Group would be set up to consider whether PEP should be recommended following a significant exposure to the blood of a health care worker.

Review of the Unlinked Anonymous Surveys

Members were asked for their views on various actions proposed to re-affirm the ethical basis of the unlinked anonymous programme. It was agreed that the Unlinked Anonymous Surveys Steering Group would be asked to look at ways of improving the information given to patients to include more on the public health value of the surveys.

Blood donors leaflet

The Chairman reported that comments from EAGA members and others were due to be discussed at the forthcoming meeting of the Committee on Microbiological Safety of Blood, Human Tissues and Organs used for Transplantation. Members discussed the latest draft of the blood donor leaflet. Some concern had been raised by members over the unequal handling of exclusion criteria.