The Hepatitis C Trust Welcomes New Response To 'The Worst Treatment Disaster In The History Of The NHS'

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The Hepatitis C Trust Welcomes New Response To 'The Worst Treatment Disaster In The History Of The NHS'

The review of compensation for people infected with hepatitis C through contaminated NHS blood has been welcomed by The Hepatitis C Trust. Responding to the statement from Health Secretary Lansley, Gore, Chief Executive of the Trust, said: "Contaminated blood has been a terrible tragedy for thousands of people. While this is no way mitigates the mistakes made, that its gravity is finally being recognised by government is very significant for all affected. "Steps towards addressing the imbalance in the compensation for people with hepatitis C compared to those with HIV are long overdue. The impact of hepatitis C on people's lives has been underestimated for too long, and we welcome

the increases in compensation and financial support for those affected. "We are pleased that the effects of hepatitis C on families have finally been recognised, and that the arbitrary exclusion from compensation of the widows and dependants of those who died before September 2003 has been ended. We are, however, very concerned that the limited time given for these families' claims to be received will result in many missing out on the compensation they are due. "We will continue champion the cause of all those who contracted hepatitis C from contaminated NHS blood and blood products in this tragedy." Notes About hepatitis C Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that predominantly infects the cells of the liver. If left untreated, the virus can cause cirrhosis, liver cancer and death. There is no vaccine but early treatment can successfully clear the virus in around half of patients and ongoing infection can be managed. The Health Protection Agency estimate that there are around 250,000 hepatitis C positive people in the UK although some estimates put this number as high as 466,000. Only around 70,000 people in England and Wales have been diagnosed. Risk factors: - Receiving a blood transfusion / blood products / organ transplantation prior to 1992 - Current IV drug use / past IV drug use (including steroids, even once and sharing any injecting equipment) - Current / past cocaine sniffing (sharing notes or straws with a person who is known to have hepatitis C or may have been at risk. This may also apply to crack cocaine pipes) - Blood transfusions or invasive medical or

dental procedures in a developing country - Tattoos / piercings/ acupuncture (in unregistered premises or with possibly unsterile equipment or with needles that were not new) - Regularly shared razors or toothbrushes (with a person who is known to have hepatitis C or may have been at risk) Celebrities with hepatitis C: Dame Anita Roddick, Pamela , s, Cole, Kiedis and nne Faithfull have all been diagnosed with hepatitis C. Source: The Hepatitis C Trust

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