§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health in relation to haemophilia, what guidance he issues in respect of(a) a patient's consent to blood tests for hepatitis C and (b) a patient being told about positive results. [31372]
§ Mr. HoramThe Department of Health issued general guidance in 1990 on consent for examination and treatment. Doctors treating patients with haemophilia will be aware of the risk of infection with hepatitis C in the case of patients treated with blood products before they began to be heat treated to destroy viruses in 1985. The majority of patients at risk have already been tested and advised of the results as part of the management of their condition.
§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is(a) the number of haemophiliacs and(b) the number who have been infected with hepatitis C; [31373]
(2) if he will list the percentage of partners of haemophiliacs who have been infected with hepatitis C; [31376]
(3) if he will list the percentage of children of haemophiliacs who are infected with hepatitis C. [31377]
§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the rate of hepatitis C infection in haemophiliacs in each European country. [31374]
§ Mr. HoramWe have no information about the rates of hepatitis C infection in haemophiliacs in other European countries.
§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the countries that have given compensation to haemophiliacs infected with hepatitis C. [31375]