§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are estimated to have died as a result of being infected with hepatitis C as a result of their NHS treatment; and over what period of time. [29026]
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§ Ms JowellWe are not able to provide the information requested as it is not collected centrally. Deaths related to hepatitis C infection result from chronic liver disease. There are many causes of chronic liver disease, and data from death certificates are not classified by particular cause.
I understand, however, that the Haemophilia Society assess that over 50 haemophiliacs have died (it is not clear over what period) as a result of hepatitis C infection. These figures are understood to be based on the number of haemophilia patients where the cause of death was shown as liver disease. Hepatitis C may not therefore have been the main cause of that disease.
We have no figures relating to the cause of death amongst those people who have been infected with hepatitis C through blood transfusion.