HC Deb 11 January 2002 vol 377 cc1032-3W
Mr. Connarty

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions he has had with the Haemophilia Society; and what action he plans to take in respect of people who have contracted HIV and Hepatitis C from contaminated blood products. [21975]

Yvette Cooper

Officials met with the Haemophilia Society on 30 November 2001. Issues discussed included the Society's 'Carpet of Lilies' campaign, the CJD Incident Panel's consultation document "Management of possible exposure to CJD through medical procedures" (issued on 10 October 2001) and the role of primary care trusts in commissioning haemophilia services.

A special payment scheme (The Macfarlane Trust) for those infected with HIV through national health service blood products was set up in 1988. We have also set up a multi-disciplinary steering group to assist in the development of a strategic approach to hepatitis C as a public health issue. As a result, we will be publishing a consultation paper early this year.