The Haemophilia Society issued the final version of the report which it had commissioned on Hepatitis C and haemophilia. Read more about The Haemophilia Society issued the final version of the report which it had commissioned on Hepatitis C and haemophilia.
Lord Horam observed it was fair to say that officials were giving him "strong warnings". Read more about Lord Horam observed it was fair to say that officials were giving him "strong warnings".
The submission requested by John Horam recorded that people infected through blood transfusion "would have as good cause as haemophiliacs for access to a compensation scheme" and that "if anything" the case for people infected through transfusion "is stronger because some were infected after tests were known to exist." Read more about The submission requested by John Horam recorded that people infected through blood transfusion "would have as good cause as haemophiliacs for access to a compensation scheme" and that "if anything" the case for people infected through transfusion "is stronger because some were infected after tests were known to exist."
Kevin Guinness asked his colleague preparing a first draft of the options paper requested by John Horam to include reference to it being a "Slippery Slope" and to stress that any payments "would have to come from less money being available for patient care." Read more about Kevin Guinness asked his colleague preparing a first draft of the options paper requested by John Horam to include reference to it being a "Slippery Slope" and to stress that any payments "would have to come from less money being available for patient care."
Officials expressed concern that John Horam may wish to alter departmental policy rather than continuing to firmly hold the line. Read more about Officials expressed concern that John Horam may wish to alter departmental policy rather than continuing to firmly hold the line.
Sir Graham Hart explained his views as being that "the position which ministers had taken was justified and defensible but that the pressure to change it, notably from victims, members of Parliament and some parts of the media, was growing in strength. If the pressure on ministers continued to build up, it could reach the point at which they found their position no longer tenable: I did not think it was inevitable, or imminent." Read more about Sir Graham Hart explained his views as being that "the position which ministers had taken was justified and defensible but that the pressure to change it, notably from victims, members of Parliament and some parts of the media, was growing in strength. If the pressure on ministers continued to build up, it could reach the point at which they found their position no longer tenable: I did not think it was inevitable, or imminent."
Kevin Guinness acknowledged that the Treasury was unlikely to take any steps until the Prime Minister decreed something needed to be done and that until that time the Government should continue to firmly hold the line. Read more about Kevin Guinness acknowledged that the Treasury was unlikely to take any steps until the Prime Minister decreed something needed to be done and that until that time the Government should continue to firmly hold the line.
John Horam requested a submission setting out costed options for compensation. Read more about John Horam requested a submission setting out costed options for compensation.
Civil servants were asked to propose an alternative form of words which would convey that he wanted to read the Haemophilia Society's report carefully. Read more about Civil servants were asked to propose an alternative form of words which would convey that he wanted to read the Haemophilia Society's report carefully.
John Horam proposed a modest amendment to the Department's standard line, to add the words "'at present'" to the words "'we have no plans to make special payments'", which led to an expression of alarm by civil servants. Read more about John Horam proposed a modest amendment to the Department's standard line, to add the words "'at present'" to the words "'we have no plans to make special payments'", which led to an expression of alarm by civil servants.