Two Virus Screening Rules For Health Staff

Doctors and other health staff will need screening for two viruses before they can take up surgery or perform obstetric procedures, according to new British guidance.

All those performing “exposure prone procedures” will have to be tested for the two viruses, HIV and hepatitis C, according to the department of health.

And all new health workers will be screened for four infections, HIV, tuberculosis and hepatitis B and C.

But the news led to student leaders calling for more clarification.

Emily Rigby, chair of the Medical Students Committee, said: “It is unclear how this guidance, as it relates to students, is going to work in practice. It is widely accepted that it is completely inappropriate for students to attempt exposure prone procedures, yet the guidance notes there may be times when we do this sort of work.

“We are concerned that this could open the way for mandatory testing of students by their colleges on a ’just in case’ basis. That is something we would be totally against.

“The government must make clear to colleges that students should be treated in exactly the same way as other health care workers - they should only
be tested if and when they are to carry out exposure prone procedures.

“Proper information and support for any student undergoing testing is a must and if a student chooses not to be tested then that decision cannot be allowed to affect their future training.”

Dr Alison Rimmer, chairman of the Association of NHS Occupational Physicians, said: “This guidance will be very helpful in ensuring that new health care workers are screened appropriately at the start of their NHS careers so that those who are infected with serious communicable diseases can be guided into appropriate areas where their health problems pose no risks to them from their work, and where they would pose no risk to patients.”

She added: “It will be very useful in ensuring that screening practice across the NHS, which is currently inconsistent, is standardised. It will also enable us to ensure that these new recruits to our workforce are treated appropriately for conditions which they may not know they have, before their health deteriorates.”

Source : www.staffnurse.com