§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman on 15 June (WA 18), what are their grounds for saying that infection with hepatitis C carries no social stigma nor any danger of cross infection of partners. [HL3140]
§ Baroness HaymanThese are difficult and complex issues of relativities. Our view is that HIV infection was a special case of heightened public concern and ignorance in the 1980s. Current information indicates that sexual transmission of hepatitis C does occur but that the virus is inefficiently spread in this way.
§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman on 15 June (WA 18), whether there has been any change of policy between this Government and the previous government in relation to the relevance of social stigma to the giving of special treatment and financial help to patients with haemophilia infected with hepatitis C through National Health Service treatment and to the dependants of those who have died. [HL3141]
§ Baroness HaymanWhen we made our careful assessment of the request for a special payment scheme for people with haemophilia infected with hepatitis C we took account of the very high level of stigma attaching to HIV in the 1980s when the HIV special payments were introduced.
§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hayman on 15 June (WA 18), whether they will consult the Haemophilia Society about remedying the social stigma which can attach to infection with hepatitis C. [HL3142]
§ Baroness HaymanWe are already working with the Haemophilia Society on help for young people with haemophilia infected with hepatitis C and we are providing a grant for their hepatitis C Youth Information and Support project which offers support on issues such as discrimination and aims to reduce the risk of social exclusion. We will continue to discuss these issues, and the project, with the society.