§ Phil SawfordTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many haemophiliacs have not received compensation for blood borne diseases which they may have contracted as a result of blood transfusions; and in what circumstances claims are rejected; [37204]
(2) how many haemophiliacs have received compensation for blood borne diseases contracted as a result of blood transfusions; and what criteria are used to determine (a) entitlement and (b) the level of compensation. [37203]
§ Yvette CooperIn 1988, a special payments scheme was established through the MacFarlane Trust for haemophilia patients infected with HIV before the technology existed to eliminate the virus from blood products. To date, 1,240 haemophilia patients have received payments through the trust.
Under the special payments scheme, each registrant received £20,000 in 1990 and a further sum in 1991, depending on their status:
- Single adult—£43,500
- Married adult without dependent children—£52,000
- Adult with dependent children—£80,500
- Children under 18—£41,000.
In addition, each registrant has received since 1 October 1990 regular payments, which range between £255 and £650 depending on whether partners are also infected and on the number of dependent children.
A copy of the MacFarlane Trust handbook, with the full details of the scheme, has been placed in the Library.