Aviation Health Working Group minutes: 4 August 2005
Aviation Health Working Group Meeting
4 August 2005, DfT, Great Minster House
|
Present |
||
|
Chair |
Sandra Webber |
DfT/ACCD |
|
Secretary |
Abimbola Alli |
DfT/ACCD |
|
Peter Smith |
DfT/ACCD |
|
|
Victoria Mayo |
DfT/ASCM |
|
|
Chris Jesnick |
CAA/SRG (Part time) |
|
|
Tim Williams |
CAA/SRG |
|
|
Dr Annette Ruge |
CAA/AHU |
|
|
Tom Hamilton |
CAA/SRG |
|
|
Dr Bill Maton-Howarth |
DoH |
|
|
Roger Wiltshire |
BATA |
|
|
Dr Mark Popplestone |
BATA |
|
|
Tim Lindsay |
BALPA/CAQTG |
|
|
Mike Carrivick |
BAR UK |
|
|
James Fremantle |
AUC |
|
|
Dr Tony Goodwin |
BALPA |
|
|
Captain Tristan Loraine |
BALPA/CAQTG |
|
|
Nikki Jones |
TGWU |
|
|
Apologies |
||
|
George Blundell - Pound |
Thomas Cook Airlines |
Item 1: Minutes of the previous inclusive meeting (28 April 2005)
1. Minutes agreed.
Item 2: CAA Bill: Clause 7 on funding of the AHU
2.1 Sandra Webber confirmed that the Bill was progressing through Parliament and would go to the House of Lords in October. There was one amendment to the clause on health by John Smith MP, but he withdrew it after it had been debated.
2.2 Sandra Webber invited Chris Jesnick to brief the group on the consultation process for funding of the AHU. Chris explained that the consultation document represents an early view for funding and that formal consultation will take place after the Bill gains Royal Assent, when the Health Unit becomes part of the statutory functions of the CAA. Chris said EASA is considering passenger health issues and may take on this activity. Should this happen, the CAA will review its position on Aviation Health.
2.3 Chris Jesnick advised that the Health Unit would be funded by UK airlines only. Roger Wilshire stated that the legislation as drafted does not allow for the CAA to charge Government for advice. Sandra confirmed that any advice to Government will be of benefit to industry by assisting Government in formulating health policies. Industry will therefore be liable for such advice.
Item 3: Research Sub-group
Cabin Air Quality
3.1 Dr Maton-Howarth gave a brief account of the recent Research Sub Group meeting held on 13 July (appendix A). BALPA has submitted a large amount of information that requires detailed expert assessment. BMH has invited the DoH funded Toxicology Group at Imperial College to provide a scientific review of evidence and advice on handling the information. BALPA confirmed that new papers on OPICN (organophosphates ester-induced chronic neurotoxicity) had appeared and wished them to be considered. BMH invited BALPA to submit any new information by end of October.
3.2 The RSG considered a draft specification for research to establish the levels of possible toxic contaminants during fume events. BALPA advised that the FAA has received funding to undertake similar research and that BALPA has been asked to be the body representing pilots in the study. The FAA has also asked for representation from the AHWG.
3.3 A general discussion ensued about the FAA study, the FAA's expectations of the AHWG in terms of funding, and technical review of the research proposal. The discussion concluded that another RSG meeting was required, in mid September, to iron out all concerns. Provided the FAA research addresses all the issues in the RSG specification; it may not be necessary for RSG to commission its own research.
3.4 Dr Maton-Howarth asked if the RSG agreed with the minutes of the meeting. BALPA advised that the notes did not represent their views and asked that the group note a joint BALPA and TGWU statement of comments of their interpretation of the meeting (appendix B). Dr Maton-Howarth advised that members of the RSG had been invited to comment on the minutes and that BALPA should have taken that opportunity to raise any concerns. The AWHG was not the forum for highlighting new concerns.
Action: Dr Maton-Howarth to schedule a meeting for September to discuss the FAA research proposal.
Item 4 - Proposed Fume event protocol
4.1 Dr Tony Goodwin presented a proposal of guidelines for cabin crew who have been exposed to fume events or experience unexplained illness. Dr Goodwin said he is currently consulting colleagues in drafting a protocol note.
4.2 Sandra thanked Dr Godwin for his work and invited comments from the group. Dr Maton-Howarth said a meeting to discuss the proposals should be arranged between himself, Dr Goodwin, Dr Ruge and Dr Popplestone. BALPA advised that the FAA research included setting up a medical protocol. Dr Popplestone pointed out that acute events required immediate attention at the nearest hospitals. Sandra Webber asked if there was any benefit in issuing the protocols to hospitals close to airports, and whether there was any evidence of passengers complaining of ill health. James Freemantle advised that 1% of complaints received by AUC relate to health..
Dr Maton- Howarth to arrange meeting with Dr Goodwin, Dr Ruge and Dr Popplestone to discuss proposed guidelines.
RSG to consider possibility of requesting information from existing customer satisfaction questionnaires.
Item 5: AHU. (appendix C)
5.1 Dr Annette Ruge informed the group of changes within SRG. Dr Tony Evans has left to join ICAO as Chief Medical Officer, Dr Sally Evans has been appointed as the new CAA medical division CMO and will attend the next AHWG.
5.2 Dr Ruge to review and evaluate the FAA research proposal and respond to RSG in two weeks. Dr Ruge has now received the paper from the Society of Chest Physicians and will draft a response in time for the next AHWG. The research on infectious disease on flights has recommenced and a literature review is currently being conducted by Prof Jane Zuckerman. The ICE project will be conducted under the 6th European framework, the budget has been reduced, the research will now focus on passengers. Rolls-Royce has enquired about concerns on cabin air contamination. A meeting has been arranged with the CAA to give Rolls-Royce a presentation on cabin air .
5.3 Dr Ruge advised that Bird flu has spread to Russia; there is currently no evidence of human to human transmission however, scientists believe that this probable.
5.4 Dr Ruge confirmed her concerns about the new regulations on Persons of Reduced Mobility being introduced by the US. Primarily, whether airlines could refuse carriage to PRM's due to insufficient cabin crew. Other concerns are that should a PRM require an assistant, who bears the cost of the 2nd ticket? Roger Wiltshire reminded the group that the regulations are about facilitating movement from airport to aircraft, and should not interfere with airline tickets. BATA also expressed reservations about the regulation and will be responding to the consultation. Dr Ruge said IATA and EASA will respond to the consultation from an EU standpoint..
Action: Dr Ruge to review and appraise the FAA research proposal.
Dr Ruge to draft a response to the Society of Chest Physicians
Item 6: Other research
6.1 Peter Smith advised that the results of the WRIGHT project are to be presented at an international conference in Australia and that the Government may release a press notice summarising the results of the study. The study concludes that prolonged travelling by any mode can contribute to DVT; some people considered as high risks may be more susceptible to DVT e.g. women on oral contraception. Sandra Webber advised that the Department has received a summary report from the WRIGHT Scientific Executive Committee and this will be published on the DfT website.
Action: Dr Maton-Howarth to review the information on guidance for travel on the DoH website.
Cabin Temperature
6.2 Sandra Webber asked for comments to the paper presented by BALPA on Cabin Operating Temperature (appendix D). A general discussion ensued about cabin temperature for stationary aircraft. Dr Ruge concluded the discussion by advising that there are no regulations on permitted temperature for stationary aircraft. Furthermore, that the issue requires wider international input; setting UK only limits should not be considered as a feasible option.
Action: Dr Ruge to contact Dr Tony Evans (ICAO) and seek advice on handling in a wider context.
Dates of next meetings:
Exclusive - 2 September 2005
Inclusive - 17 November 2005
Exclusive - 2 December 2005
ACCD 04 August 2005
