§ Dr. MurrisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the basis was upon which the calculation of compensation for those that contracted hepatitis C from NHS blood products was made. [151856]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe following independent resources were considered in order to determine the level of ex-gratia payments to be made by the Skipton Fund:
- The scheme of payments implemented by the Macfarlane Trust.
- The scheme of payments implemented by the Eileen Trust.
- The report of the Hepatitis C Working Party to the Haemophilia Society.
- The report of the Scottish Executive's Expert Group on Financial and Other Support chaired by Lord Ross.
The payment structure was also influenced by the need to consider the issue of making such ex-gratia payments in the context of other demands on the health care budget.
1069W
§ Dr. MurrisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recourse families of patients who died of the effects of hepatitis C contracted through NHS blood products will have to compensation. [151857]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe announcement of a payment scheme for every person who was alive on 29 August 2003, and whose hepatitis C infection is found to be attributable to national health service treatment with blood or blood products, was made on 23 January 2004. The Department has no plans to introduce a similar scheme or pay compensation to families of those who have died of the effects of such an infection.
If negligence on behalf of the NHS or private suppliers is suspected, families of those who have died are entitled to pursue punitive damages through the courts.