End to HIV Health Staff Ban?
posted: 10/02/2011
The much criticised ban on surgeons and dentists with HIV from working could be lifted this year. At long last, the government is acting on HIV campaigners’ calls to end the employment ban.
Department of Health rules stop HIV-positive health workers from carrying out what are called ‘exposure prone procedures’ which are thought to risk HIV and hepatitis transmission. Basically 'exposure-prone procedures' are treatments where the healthcare hand goes inside the patient body, especially when there are sharp things like bones and surgical tools around - like when a dentist is extracting teeth.
But the rules are old and there is very little solid evidence of actual HIV transmissions from health care workers to patients. Despite this, the UK rules mean no dentist with HIV can carry on working as a dentist, and many midwives, surgeons, some nurses and ambulance workers have also had to end or change their careers.
Rules review
The Department of Health has now said there will be a review of the rules. HIV charities have been invited to join the working group that will draw up new guidelines.
The British bans on healthcare workers with HIV and hepatitis are stricter than in many European countries and the USA and Australia, where dentists with HIV can work, so there are alternative rules ready to be adapted for Britain.
Evidence gap
With effective HIV treatments there is usually almost no virus in healthcare workers’ blood, so whatever risk there was, is even smaller now, say campaigners. It is extremely unusual for blood-borne viruses to be passed between doctors and patients. Only four patients worldwide are thought to have contracted HIV from health workers. There have been no transmissions from healthcare workers in the UK. And there are significant doubts about the evidence even for these few transmissions.
Deborah Jack, chief executive of the National Aids Trust, said ‘advances in testing technologies and treatment’ and ‘high levels of infection control’ supported calls for change.
Catherine Murphy, of the Terrence Higgins Trust, added: ‘We’re not saying entirely lift restrictions but it is time for another look – especially for dentists.’ The British Dental Association has backed calls for change.
UK healthcare workers and exposure prone procedures policy
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