Aviation Health Working Group minutes: 26 March 2001
AHWG/26-03-01/Note
Aviation Health Working Group - 1st Meeting
Monday 26 March 2001, Great Minster House, London SW1
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Present |
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Chair |
Peter Smith |
DETR/MLD3 |
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Secretary |
Tim Hemmings |
DETR/MLD3 |
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Mike McGovern |
DH |
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William Maton-Howarth |
DH |
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Tom Hamilton |
CAA/SRG |
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Dr Simon Janvrin |
CAA/Chief Medical Officer |
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Graeme Henderson |
HSE |
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Apologies |
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Michael Smethers |
DETR/MLD |
Item 1: Introductory Remarks
1.1 The Chair welcomed the permanent members of the Aviation Health Working Group (AHWG) to the first meeting of the group. The AHWG had been set up in line with the Government response to the recent House of Lords Inquiry into Air Travel and Health. It was agreed that those parties present would attend all meetings of the Group with external, interested parties invited to attend on an ad-hoc basis, depending on the issues to be discussed.
Item 2: Working arrangements for the group
2.1 The Chair suggested that the group meet roughly every six weeks and that meetings should be relatively informal without need for formal terms of reference. CAA agreed, but suggested that an informal "mission statement" might provide a focus for the remit of the AHWG.
2.2 The Chair agreed and undertook to circulate a suggestion with the minutes of the meeting 1 . (Action DETR)
Item 3 (a): Information on DVT
3.1 The Chair explained that the importance of clear, objective information on DVT was one of the main messages of the House of Lords Report into Air Travel and Health. Initial steps had been taken and summary, interim advice had been sent to the Federation of Tour Operators and to UK airlines. However, it is necessary for some more definitive advice - which could be based on the advice contained in the House of Lords Report - to be drawn up and circulated.
3.2 DH accepted to take the lead in producing more detailed advice on DVT, though this would remain interim advice dependant on the findings of the Government backed research to be commissioned into DVT (see item 3(b)). It was agreed that DH would consult with health experts and, if possible, report back to the next meeting with draft advice that could be disseminated using NHS Direct, the DH web-site and through circulation to interested parties such as travel clinics and tour operators. (Action DH).
3.3 The Chair pointed out that, in relation to the provision of information, the Government response to the House of Lords also undertook to consider providing information on the need for sub-aqua divers to ensure that the effects of any recent diving do not create any additional hazard when flying. It was agreed that there was already a good deal of information available on the risk of flying after diving, though HSE agreed to look into the information available to professional divers, and convey this to the next meeting. (Action HSE).
Item 3(b): Research
3.4 DETR opened the discussion on the aviation health research to be carried out by reporting back on a recent meeting with BRE Ltd, who are carrying out Stage II of the inter-Departmental study to look at the research that has already been done into aviation health issues - in particular DVT and air quality. It was agreed that a detailed research programme, notably into DVT, was likely to follow on from Stage II but that a decision on the content of future research could not be taken by the Group until Stage II had been completed.
3.5 The Chair was also aware that a number of airlines and medical experts, led by Dr John Scurr, had announced the launch of a detailed research project into DVT and had suggested that Government funding would be sought. So far no request for funding had been received and the details of the research were not clear. In any case, any decision on whether to become involved in this project would depend on the outcome of Stage II of the inter-Departmental study. However, it was agreed that DH would contact Dr Scurr, to find out more about his work and to learn of the outcome of a recent meeting that had been held in Geneva (hosted by the World Health Organisation). This would then be reported back to the AHWG at the next meeting. (Action DH).
3.6 As it was clear that some Government-funded research would be the likely outcome of the BRE work, DH suggested that the Group give consideration to the possibilities of funding such work. While the various Departments and Agencies present could consider some funding, it was agreed that for any large-scale research the involvement of industry and/or other funding sources would be necessary.
Item 3(c): In-Flight Medical Emergencies
3.7 The Chair explained that the AHWG was charged with encouraging best practice in dealing with in-flight medical emergencies. CAA explained that all UK airlines were in accordance with the fairly basic JAA requirements on medical equipment, and that most UK airlines maintained high standards and were well equipped to deal with emergencies. In order to promote such standards among all UK airlines, it was agreed that DETR would ask BATA and BAR-UK for examples of current practice in dealing with in-flight medical emergencies and, depending on the information provided, consider ways to ensure that best practice is more widely adopted. (Action: DETR)
Item 3(d): Fitness to Fly
3.8 The Chair explained that the response to the House of Lords required DH to consider whether or not a leaflet asking "Are you fit to fly?" is an effective way in which to communicate information on air travel and health. DH agreed to consult on this and report back at the next meeting of the Group. (Action DH)
Item 3(e): Health Briefing
3.9 The Government response undertakes that the AHWG will monitor the effectiveness of the information offered by UK airlines in their health briefing. It was agreed that DETR would write to UK airlines asking for examples of the health briefing they offer, if any. These will then be compared at subsequent meetings of the AHWG. (Action DETR)
Item 3(f): Noise
3.10 The role of the Aviation Health Working Group in relation to noise, is to look into the issue and consider whether research is necessary. CAA pointed out that there is little existing research in this area, though British Airways had looked into the issue, which had resulted in pilots being issued with noise-attenuating headsets. HSE had carried out some work which suggests that pilots were subject to high levels of noise, but pointed out that the Noise at Work Directive does not apply to mobile workers - including aircrew.
3.11 DETR agreed to write to airlines to seek examples of good practice for dealing with noise and obtain views on noise levels on board aircraft. This information will be reported back to the AHWG, which will then consider whether research is necessary. (Action DETR)
Item 3(g): Miscellaneous
3.12 HSE asked whether air quality would be considered by the group. The CAA pointed out that the work that ASHRAE is doing on this issue would be of interest to the AHWG, though this had already been subject to delay. DETR agreed that the group should maintain a watching brief on the ASRAE work and also suggested that BRE Ltd, which is leading the EU-supported CabinAir work, could present its work to the Group.
3.13 The Chair announced that DETR had undertaken to present an information paper on aviation health to the next triennial assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, to be held in September. This would either be presented by the UK, or as a UK-led paper presented by the European Civil Aviation Conference. A draft of the paper would be presented to the Group for discussion. (Action DETR)
Item 4: Dates of next meetings
4.1 Friday 4 May, 11.00 a.m.
Friday 15 June, 11.00 a.m.
Friday 27 July, 11.00 a.m.
Friday 7 September, 11.00 a.m.
Friday 19 October, 11.00 a.m.
Friday 30 November, 11.00 a.m.
MLD3
April 2001
DRAFT MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE AVIATION HEALTH WORKING GROUP
The Aviation Health Working Group will meet on a regular basis in order to:
- Provide a forum for interested Government departments and agencies to consider issues relevant to aviation health;
- Provide an interface with the air transport industry, health experts and other interested parties on aviation health issues of mutual interest;
- Evaluate the need for research into issues related to air travel and health, and consider the role of Government in supporting such research;
- Ensure Ministers are kept informed and receive comprehensive advice on aviation health matters;
- Monitor developments that impinge on the health of those travelling by air.
1 A draft Mission Statement is attached – any comments would be welcome at the next meeting.
