SCOTTISH
POLICE FEDERATION
5 Woodside Place, Glasgow, G3 7QF
MEDIA
RELEASE
The Scottish Police Federation represents all police officers in the
ranks of chief inspector and below, about 15,000 people, over 98%
of all police officers in Scotland.
To:
Date:
Subject: |
Editor
24
February 2005
Police welcomes consultation on blood tests for assailants |
Mr
Douglas Keil, General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation
said,
“We
are very pleased that the Scottish Executive has addressed this issue.
Assaults
on the police are increasing and spitting, biting, the use of needles
or knives and exposure to blood and other body fluids carry the risk
of infectious diseases. In the year between April 2003 and April 2004,
we know of 229 officers who were potentially exposed to blood borne
diseases, 24 were given post exposure treatment and one was infected
by the Hepatitis B virus.
The
post exposure treatment with a cocktail of drugs known as PEP (Post
Exposure Prophylaxis) can have serious and unpleasant side effects
which can last for some months. Individuals can be disadvantaged by
having to admit to tests for HIV and Hepatitis when completing insurance,
mortgage and other commercial declarations.
There
are lengthy waiting periods before the results of tests are known
and this can be extremely stressful for police officers and their
families, indeed for any victim. These proposals would help to alleviate
that stress by giving them information about their assailants medical
status and the extent of the risk. It should be compulsory for assailants
to submit to a blood test and the victims should get the results.
This
would be something positive for victims of assaults and I hope there
is a positive response to the consultation so that we can press on
with legislation.”
