Chris Inquires About Disabilities Caused By Infected Blood
Christopher Chope Conservative, Christchurch
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether any disability has to be proved arising from infection with (a) Hepatitis C and (b) HIV from (i) blood and (ii) blood products to qualify for support from the England Infected Blood Support Scheme.
Maria Caulfield The Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Health and Social Care, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) (Minister for Women)
Anyone who on the balance of probabilities was infected with Hepatitis C before September 1991 through NHS Blood or Blood Products while in England, or overseas while serving in the armed forces, and has chronic Hepatitis C qualifies for Stage 1 annual support payments.
Applicants can receive increased payments through the Special Category Mechanism if their infection, its treatment or associated conditions, has a long-term negative impact on their ability to carry out daily activities, and condition has worsened, but does not qualify for Hepatitis C Stage 2 payments. Applicants can apply for Hepatitis C Stage 2 when they have a range of conditions associated with late-stage chronic Hepatitis C infections.
Anyone who on the balance of probabilities was infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in England, or overseas if the infection occurred while serving in the armed forces, through NHS Blood or Blood Products is eligible to receive support payments. The annual support payments for all qualifying persons with HIV is the same.
Qualifying individuals are not treated differently if they received their infection though blood or blood products.
- ENDS - #167994
