As shown in a letter from Baroness Cumberlege to John Marshall, the "current line" was the expression of "great sympathy", followed by the Government not accepting "that there has been any negligence" and an assertion that patients infected with Hepatitis C "received the best treatment available in the light of medical knowledge at the time". Read more about As shown in a letter from Baroness Cumberlege to John Marshall, the "current line" was the expression of "great sympathy", followed by the Government not accepting "that there has been any negligence" and an assertion that patients infected with Hepatitis C "received the best treatment available in the light of medical knowledge at the time".
The Department of Health advised the Prime Minister's office that it would not be appropriate for the Prime Minister to meet the deputation to discuss the position of people infected with Hepatitis C from blood products as health ministers had recently met and decided to "maintain the current line." Read more about The Department of Health advised the Prime Minister's office that it would not be appropriate for the Prime Minister to meet the deputation to discuss the position of people infected with Hepatitis C from blood products as health ministers had recently met and decided to "maintain the current line."
John Marshall MP asked to bring a deputation to see the Prime Minister, John Major, to discuss the position of people infected with Hepatitis C from blood products. Read more about John Marshall MP asked to bring a deputation to see the Prime Minister, John Major, to discuss the position of people infected with Hepatitis C from blood products.
A briefing for the Prime Minister reiterated both the lack of plans to provide compensation and that patients received "the best treatment available in the light of medical knowledge at the time." Read more about A briefing for the Prime Minister reiterated both the lack of plans to provide compensation and that patients received "the best treatment available in the light of medical knowledge at the time."
Alf Morris tabled an Early Day Motion calling for financial assistance, to which the Department of Health responded: "We have great sympathy for those affected, but we have no plans to make special payments." Read more about Alf Morris tabled an Early Day Motion calling for financial assistance, to which the Department of Health responded: "We have great sympathy for those affected, but we have no plans to make special payments."
In a Department of Health ministers and officials' meeting it was decided that further work on legal vulnerability, in particular in relation to consumer protection legislation, was required before the question of ex gratia payments could be decided. Read more about In a Department of Health ministers and officials' meeting it was decided that further work on legal vulnerability, in particular in relation to consumer protection legislation, was required before the question of ex gratia payments could be decided.
In advance of a meeting of ministers, a Department of Health memo set out the views of officials in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on the issue of compensation for those infected with Hepatitis C. Read more about In advance of a meeting of ministers, a Department of Health memo set out the views of officials in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on the issue of compensation for those infected with Hepatitis C.
Number 10 was alerted to the issue of payments for those infected with Hepatitis C. Read more about Number 10 was alerted to the issue of payments for those infected with Hepatitis C.
In a memo to Dr Metters, Roger Scofield said he had amended his original submission to Carolyn Fairbairn and "the territorials" slightly "to put it in such a way that Ministers do not appear to be at odds with one another; nor do I wish to spell out their concerns on paper." Read more about In a memo to Dr Metters, Roger Scofield said he had amended his original submission to Carolyn Fairbairn and "the territorials" slightly "to put it in such a way that Ministers do not appear to be at odds with one another; nor do I wish to spell out their concerns on paper."
In accordance with the Secretary of State's request, the views of officials from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were sought. Read more about In accordance with the Secretary of State's request, the views of officials from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were sought.