A minute was sent to Dr Graham Winyard "expressing concern that while SoS accepts that the Government could not afford a large compensation package, he feels that a small hardship fund like the MacFarlane Trust would be possible. Officials are concerned that significant funds would need to be diverted from patient care to fund it and that Treasury remain fundamentally opposed." Read more about A minute was sent to Dr Graham Winyard "expressing concern that while SoS accepts that the Government could not afford a large compensation package, he feels that a small hardship fund like the MacFarlane Trust would be possible. Officials are concerned that significant funds would need to be diverted from patient care to fund it and that Treasury remain fundamentally opposed."
In a letter, the Secretary of State addressed recombinant Factor 8 only, saying on the special payment scheme question that he could not yet give an answer. Read more about In a letter, the Secretary of State addressed recombinant Factor 8 only, saying on the special payment scheme question that he could not yet give an answer.
The reasons for refusing compensation included that "where the ill effects [of treatment] could not have been predicted, or prevented, at the time, then they have to be balanced against the benefits of the treatment." Read more about The reasons for refusing compensation included that "where the ill effects [of treatment] could not have been predicted, or prevented, at the time, then they have to be balanced against the benefits of the treatment."
There was a draft response to the Haemophilia Society which "tried hard to be as sympathetic as possible in refusing compensation, without repeating too many of the standard arguments which have been put to them on many occasions in the past". Read more about There was a draft response to the Haemophilia Society which "tried hard to be as sympathetic as possible in refusing compensation, without repeating too many of the standard arguments which have been put to them on many occasions in the past".
It was "assumed on the hepatitis C 'compensation' issue, given the considerable implications to the wider NHS of agreeing to any such scheme, that you would wish to continue with the policy line which the Government has so far taken in response to representations from other groups ie to refuse such requests". Read more about It was "assumed on the hepatitis C 'compensation' issue, given the considerable implications to the wider NHS of agreeing to any such scheme, that you would wish to continue with the policy line which the Government has so far taken in response to representations from other groups ie to refuse such requests".
The Secretary of State had considered the introduction of recombinant Factor 8 and by February 1998 it was thought that he would "also be saying 'no to Hep C compensation' at the same time". Read more about The Secretary of State had considered the introduction of recombinant Factor 8 and by February 1998 it was thought that he would "also be saying 'no to Hep C compensation' at the same time".
The Secretary of State wrote to the Haemophilia Society apologising for the delay and expressing the hope that he would reply before Christmas. Read more about The Secretary of State wrote to the Haemophilia Society apologising for the delay and expressing the hope that he would reply before Christmas.
There was a delay in officials providing the Secretary of State with the information which he had requested due to issues relating to the emergence of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, due to a need to complete examinations of the issues and a need to speak to colleagues about the best way to move forward. Read more about There was a delay in officials providing the Secretary of State with the information which he had requested due to issues relating to the emergence of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, due to a need to complete examinations of the issues and a need to speak to colleagues about the best way to move forward.
There was a delay in officials providing the Secretary of State with the information which he had requested due to issues relating to the emergence of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Read more about There was a delay in officials providing the Secretary of State with the information which he had requested due to issues relating to the emergence of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Ms Casemore emailed Ms Corrigan asking for a follow-up on the response for the Haemophilia Society as the Society had not at that point received a response. Read more about Ms Casemore emailed Ms Corrigan asking for a follow-up on the response for the Haemophilia Society as the Society had not at that point received a response.