HC Deb 04 April 1995 vol 257 cc1038-9W
Mr. Burden

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the policy of her Department regarding compensation for haemophiliacs infected with hepatitis C through contaminated blood concentrates. [18039]

Mr. Sackville

The Government have no plans to make payments to haemophilia patients who have been infected with hepatitis C through blood products.

Mr. Merchant

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to her answer of 11 January,Official Report, column 145, when she expects the ad hoc working party of experts to produce guidance on procedures for the look-back exercise for identifying those at risk of hepatitis C. [18581]

Mr. Sackville

The guidance, including counselling guidelines and treatment options, is being issued to the national health service under cover of a letter from the Chief Medical Officer. Copies will be placed in the Library.

This phase of the exercise is to trace, counsel and, where appropriate, treat those identified as being at risk. It will primarily concern hospital consultants in a number of specialties, those working in blood transfusion centres, and general practitioners. We shall do all that we can by way of counselling and, where appropriate, treatment to care for those who may have been infected.