§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps have been taken to inform haemophilia patients whose NHS-prescribed treatment included blood from donors who subsequently died of vCJD; and further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 29 November (WA 71) that patients cared for by HIV-infected healthcare workers will be notified on the basis of the level of risk of exposure, whether they will take similar steps in the case of haemophilia patients who have received blood from donors who subsequently died of vCJD. [HL1800]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe United Kingdom Haemophilia Centre Doctors Organisation, in consultation with the Department of Health, agreed a policy of offering all haemophilia patients a choice of whether they wish to be informed or not in the event that they or their children received blood or blood products from a donor who subsequently died of vCJD. Counselling and advice to patients were provided by haemophilia centres.
In October 2001 the department's CJD Incident Panel issued a document for public consultation on how to deal with any future incidents Management of possible exposure to CJD through medical procedures. This document is available on www.doh.gov.uk/cjd/ consultation and the closing date for comments is 15 January 2002.