HIV AND PREGNANT WOMEN

That this House notes with concern that not all HIV positive women in the UK are entitled to free treatment to prevent mother to baby transmission of HIV; recognises that guidance from the Department of Health clearly states that, because of the risks to both mother and baby, maternity services should always be considered to be immediately necessary and never withheld; further recognises that many women who need treatment are not aware of their entitlement and that fears about the cost of treatment means that some do not come forward or come forward too late for the treatment to be fully effective; acknowledges that there is also continuing widespread confusion within the NHS about what treatment women are entitled to; and calls on the Government to amend the 1989 Charges to Overseas Visitors Regulations to include HIV treatment alongside all other sexually transmitted infections which are currently exempt from charges, and to ensure all women are given free HIV treatment to maintain their health and enable them to survive to care for their child, regardless of their immigration status.