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Posted By Simon Micklewright
I am aware that an HIV sufferer is not obliged by law to reveal their
condition. However, If a member of staff knows that a client suffers from this condition, are they obliged to report this to other staff members under any legislation? There appears to be no refference to HIV under RIDDOR95. Our organisation works closely with our clients, on a housing support basis, and frequently enter clients homes to discuss their support needs. I am concerned about the breach of confidentiality regarding our client if we have to disclose his illness to all staff, any help will be greatly welcomed
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Posted By Bill Elliott
Simon - HIV is a blood/body fluid borne virus, and there would only be a minimal risk to staff if they are likely to come into contact with the "clients" body fluids. You do not say what line of work you are in but even those healthcare workers whose work may expose them to this virus are low risk of acquiring it through their work. It would pay to remember there is also a likelihood of persons being infected with such viruses and not knowing that they are - in effect anyone could be infected, but there are high risk groups that include intravenous drug users; male homosexuals or bisexuals; prostitutes; certain natives of Africa and South East Asia etc - the general rule would be for workers to adopt routine personal hygiene practices as the norm, that included ensuring that any skin lesions are covered with a waterproof dressing. Comprehensive advice can be sought from your local Health Trusts Infection Control department
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Posted By Dave Wilson
Most communicable diseases are notifiable under public health / communicable disease legislation and not H&S, ask your LA Env Health Dept or Public Health Dept but mainly infectious disease which are easily passed to humans eg Fodd Poisoning and airborne infections and highly contagiious pathogens, Salmonella, TB, Green Monkey etc
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Posted By Simon Micklewright
Thanks for the response on this, our organisation provides housing to asylum seekers awaiting decisions on there asylum applications. Certain staff where complaining that one of our clients had AIDS and wanted this information to be shared to all staff, including maintainence staff, but i feel it is a breach of the clients confidentiality, where do i stand on giving out this information under the law?
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Posted By Jim Sweetman
Simon,
I came upon this problem whilst working for an LA. You are right about the 'client confidentiality', it is also a real minefield to get involved.
As said in a previous response, take measures to ensure that safe working procedures consider the possibility of exposure to things like HIV.
Your staff might think that they have info about a person, but can they say the same for everyone else that they deal with? Topics like discrimination start to rear their heads!
Jim
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Posted By Ken Taylor
I seem to have an idea that involuntary disclosure is applicable to persons providing direct health or nursing care - but cannot recall the source or whether this is current thinking. Perhaps some of our Health Service people can help futher with this?
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Posted By Bill Elliott
The point here is that HIV IS NOT notifiable under Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 OR Public Health (Infectious Diseases) Regulations 1988 - AIDS, which is NOT HIV, is not notifiable either - entirely separate arrangments exist for these viruses - as I have already indicated - the virus for HIV is only infectious when body fluids are transferred, the application of standard infection control precautions should be taken that include personal hygiene and covering open wounds. There will be guidance for those employers whose employees may be at risk if you contact the Infection Control Specialists.
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Posted By Simon Micklewright
Thank you,
you have been very helpful, where would I find such guidance?
Simon
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Posted By Dave Wilson
Try the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) or your Consultant in Communicable Disease Control (CCDC) at the LA / NHS Trust
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