Lord Hunt noted a clear and defendable distinction between settlement of litigation and the Government's continued refusal to compensate people with haemophilia infected with HCV through blood products on the basis of non-negligent harm. Read more about Lord Hunt noted a clear and defendable distinction between settlement of litigation and the Government's continued refusal to compensate people with haemophilia infected with HCV through blood products on the basis of non-negligent harm.
Charles Lister, providing advice to Lord Hunt regarding the Hepatitis C litigation against the National Blood Authority, noted that settlement of that litigation (or an award of damages by the court) would give rise to "inevitable claims of inequity from the Haemophilia Society". Read more about Charles Lister, providing advice to Lord Hunt regarding the Hepatitis C litigation against the National Blood Authority, noted that settlement of that litigation (or an award of damages by the court) would give rise to "inevitable claims of inequity from the Haemophilia Society".
In response to Lord Hunt's request for an outline costing of a hardship fund for people with haemophilia infected with Hepatitis C, the advice was that such a fund would be unlikely to be acceptable. Read more about In response to Lord Hunt's request for an outline costing of a hardship fund for people with haemophilia infected with Hepatitis C, the advice was that such a fund would be unlikely to be acceptable.
A line to take drafted for ministers sought to justify the difference between Hepatitis C and HIV on the basis that the decision to make special payments for the latter was an exception by the previous Government "in circumstances where the only prospect for these patients was early death." Read more about A line to take drafted for ministers sought to justify the difference between Hepatitis C and HIV on the basis that the decision to make special payments for the latter was an exception by the previous Government "in circumstances where the only prospect for these patients was early death."
Lord Philip Hunt was advised that ministers had taken a clear decision not to award a special payment scheme but that there was continued unhappiness and lobbying. Read more about Lord Philip Hunt was advised that ministers had taken a clear decision not to award a special payment scheme but that there was continued unhappiness and lobbying.
Lord Philip Hunt took over from Baroness Hayman in July 1999 and in September attended a briefing with officials regarding the Hepatitis C issue. Read more about Lord Philip Hunt took over from Baroness Hayman in July 1999 and in September attended a briefing with officials regarding the Hepatitis C issue.
The Haemophilia Society wrote to Lord Morris of Manchester taking issue with Baroness Hayman's answer to his question in parliament on the basis that it did not represent an accurate explanation of the Government's decision in 1987 to introduce a special payments scheme for those infected with HIV. Read more about The Haemophilia Society wrote to Lord Morris of Manchester taking issue with Baroness Hayman's answer to his question in parliament on the basis that it did not represent an accurate explanation of the Government's decision in 1987 to introduce a special payments scheme for those infected with HIV.
In her written answer in response to Lord Morris of Manchester, Baroness Hayman referred to the very high level of stigma attached to HIV in the 1980s. Read more about In her written answer in response to Lord Morris of Manchester, Baroness Hayman referred to the very high level of stigma attached to HIV in the 1980s.
An internal email from David Dunleavy and Gwen Skinner to Trish Fretten queried whether it was the case that "we thought we were on weak legal ground in the HIV case...When it comes down to what was or may have been said publicly I suspect that it is difficult to find any difference in the merits of the groups themselves ie between then and now." Read more about An internal email from David Dunleavy and Gwen Skinner to Trish Fretten queried whether it was the case that "we thought we were on weak legal ground in the HIV case...When it comes down to what was or may have been said publicly I suspect that it is difficult to find any difference in the merits of the groups themselves ie between then and now."
The speaking notes prepared for Baroness Hayman clearly suggested that the reasons at the time the scheme was introduced related to stigma and transmission to partners. Read more about The speaking notes prepared for Baroness Hayman clearly suggested that the reasons at the time the scheme was introduced related to stigma and transmission to partners.