Ministers have been warned that their policy of dispersing asylum seekers around the country risks spreading HIV.

An article in Friday's British Medical Journal alleges that the practice makes providing treatment more difficult.

Senior sexual health doctors based in Camden primary care trust in north London reported that the dispersal system often leaves sufferers without access to specialist services and treatments.

It could also lead to increased transmission of the disease, they warned.

The government policy is designed to share the burden of hosting asylum seekers between local authorities and branches of the NHS.

Up to 100,000 people have been placed around the UK, with various estimates of how many are suffering from HIV or Aids.

The doctors complained that dispersal takes place at too short notice and with little consultation with health authorities.

Deadlines as tight as 48 hours to move mean medical notes are often left far behind, they said.

Most doctors who treat HIV positive asylum seekers have unsuccessfully contested dispersal, research found.

The article argued that the National Asylum Support Service should seek specialist advice before moving someone.

"Of particular concern is that dispersal is done at short notice and often without appropriate transfer of medical details," the authors said.

"Although hand held medical records have been suggested as a potential solution, they are unlikely to resolve all the issues that could compromise patient care.

"Inappropriate dispersal of an HIV infected patient could lead to HIV resistance, onward transmission of HIV infection, and avoidable morbidity and mortality for the asylum seeker."