The Prime Minister refused to meet with John Marshall MP, stating that the compensation for people suffering with HIV reflected the 'very special nature of the HIV virus', and that this could not be applied to those suffering with HCV. Read more about The Prime Minister refused to meet with John Marshall MP, stating that the compensation for people suffering with HIV reflected the 'very special nature of the HIV virus', and that this could not be applied to those suffering with HCV.
A briefing for the Prime Minister stated that patients received "the best treatment available in the light of medical knowledge at the time" and characterised the MPs' request as being for compensation "for patients where, tragic though their circumstances are, no fault and no negligence on the part of the NHS has been proved". Read more about A briefing for the Prime Minister stated that patients received "the best treatment available in the light of medical knowledge at the time" and characterised the MPs' request as being for compensation "for patients where, tragic though their circumstances are, no fault and no negligence on the part of the NHS has been proved".
The Prime Minister did not want to meet with the delegation of MPs to discuss whether people with haemophilia with HCV should be compensated, like those with HIV. Instead he wanted to issue a 'line to take'. Read more about The Prime Minister did not want to meet with the delegation of MPs to discuss whether people with haemophilia with HCV should be compensated, like those with HIV. Instead he wanted to issue a 'line to take'.
Mark Adams encouraging the Prime Minister to meet with the delegation of MPs to discuss whether people with haemophilia with HCV should be compensated, like those with HIV. Read more about Mark Adams encouraging the Prime Minister to meet with the delegation of MPs to discuss whether people with haemophilia with HCV should be compensated, like those with HIV.
It was recommended to give a group hearing to a small group of MPs to discuss whether people with haemophilia with HCV should be compensated, like those with HIV. Read more about It was recommended to give a group hearing to a small group of MPs to discuss whether people with haemophilia with HCV should be compensated, like those with HIV.
Sir John Hannam, Sir Terence Higgins, Sir Geoffrey Johnson-Smith, Robert Key, and John Marshall raised the issue to John Major that it should be considered that people with haemophilia with HCV should be compensated, like those with HIV. Read more about Sir John Hannam, Sir Terence Higgins, Sir Geoffrey Johnson-Smith, Robert Key, and John Marshall raised the issue to John Major that it should be considered that people with haemophilia with HCV should be compensated, like those with HIV.
Briefings to the Prime Minister were part of the regular process of ensuring that the PM was briefed on current issues ahead of his twice weekly appearances at Prime Minister's Questions, and that they were "therefore the subject of regular scrutiny [by] both ministers and senior officials." Read more about Briefings to the Prime Minister were part of the regular process of ensuring that the PM was briefed on current issues ahead of his twice weekly appearances at Prime Minister's Questions, and that they were "therefore the subject of regular scrutiny [by] both ministers and senior officials."
Stephen Dorrell clarified that he "did not (and do not) support the principle of no-fault compensation payments to NHS patients who suffer as a result of the inevitable risks associated with medical treatment." Read more about Stephen Dorrell clarified that he "did not (and do not) support the principle of no-fault compensation payments to NHS patients who suffer as a result of the inevitable risks associated with medical treatment."
Stephen Dorrell, the Secretary of State for Health, wrote to Sir Edward Heath MP stating that there were no plans to make payments to those infected with Hepatitis C. Read more about Stephen Dorrell, the Secretary of State for Health, wrote to Sir Edward Heath MP stating that there were no plans to make payments to those infected with Hepatitis C.
Stephen Dorrell stated in his evidence before the Health Select Committee that "any patient who undertakes a course of medicine must accept that there is a risk attached to modern medicine and in cases where a patient is damaged but without any fault, I do not believe that it is a sensible use of NHS resources to provide compensation in those cases". Read more about Stephen Dorrell stated in his evidence before the Health Select Committee that "any patient who undertakes a course of medicine must accept that there is a risk attached to modern medicine and in cases where a patient is damaged but without any fault, I do not believe that it is a sensible use of NHS resources to provide compensation in those cases".