Kevin Guinness responded to Ian Snedden by letter stating that it was important to keep in regular touch over this issue to ensure "a consistent presentation of policy, which as you say is ultimately a matter for collective consideration by the Government." Read more about Kevin Guinness responded to Ian Snedden by letter stating that it was important to keep in regular touch over this issue to ensure "a consistent presentation of policy, which as you say is ultimately a matter for collective consideration by the Government."
Ian Snedden (Scottish Office) wrote to Kevin McGuiness (Department of Health) to express the Minister's sympathy with the campaign for some form of no fault compensation for those infected with Hepatitis C but expressed concern about the costs and the impact on other health spending. The letter also stated that the general principle of any compensation scheme for Hepatitis C "is a matter for collective consideration by the Government." Read more about Ian Snedden (Scottish Office) wrote to Kevin McGuiness (Department of Health) to express the Minister's sympathy with the campaign for some form of no fault compensation for those infected with Hepatitis C but expressed concern about the costs and the impact on other health spending. The letter also stated that the general principle of any compensation scheme for Hepatitis C "is a matter for collective consideration by the Government."
The Minister of State noted the advice from officials regarding compensation and asked for the letter to the Department of Health to be amended to acknowledge "the fact that this is a matter for the collective view of the Government." Read more about The Minister of State noted the advice from officials regarding compensation and asked for the letter to the Department of Health to be amended to acknowledge "the fact that this is a matter for the collective view of the Government."
The Minister of State at the Scottish Office considered a compensation payment of £20,000 to those infected with Hepatitis C, though this was considered to be too low by Scottish Office officials. Read more about The Minister of State at the Scottish Office considered a compensation payment of £20,000 to those infected with Hepatitis C, though this was considered to be too low by Scottish Office officials.
The CMO of Scotland, Dr Robert Kendall, referred to a statement by the Secretary of State for Health, Stephen Dorrell, which "very strongly" suggested that the Department of Health would resist offering compensation and informed the Minister that in those circumstances it would be extremely difficult for Scotland to attempt to adopt a different policy. Read more about The CMO of Scotland, Dr Robert Kendall, referred to a statement by the Secretary of State for Health, Stephen Dorrell, which "very strongly" suggested that the Department of Health would resist offering compensation and informed the Minister that in those circumstances it would be extremely difficult for Scotland to attempt to adopt a different policy.
The Minister of State at the Scottish Office, James Douglas-Hamilton, commented that it "is likely that the view of the layman, and of the electorate as a whole, would probably be that those infected should receive compensation. Those infected had become so through no fault of their own, while being treated by the NHS, and those infected with HIV have already been compensated." Read more about The Minister of State at the Scottish Office, James Douglas-Hamilton, commented that it "is likely that the view of the layman, and of the electorate as a whole, would probably be that those infected should receive compensation. Those infected had become so through no fault of their own, while being treated by the NHS, and those infected with HIV have already been compensated."
The Scottish Office concluded that claims for compensation for those infected with Hepatitis C "should be resisted, at least until the outcome of the Court cases is known and a more precise estimate can be made of the likely numbers and costs involved." Read more about The Scottish Office concluded that claims for compensation for those infected with Hepatitis C "should be resisted, at least until the outcome of the Court cases is known and a more precise estimate can be made of the likely numbers and costs involved."
A Scottish Office memo raised concerns about the cost of a scheme to compensate those infected with Hepatitis C if one was to be introduced. Read more about A Scottish Office memo raised concerns about the cost of a scheme to compensate those infected with Hepatitis C if one was to be introduced.
A Department of Health memo raised concerns as to where the funding would come from to meet the proposed scheme compensating those infected with Hepatitis C. Read more about A Department of Health memo raised concerns as to where the funding would come from to meet the proposed scheme compensating those infected with Hepatitis C.
The Department of Health prepared proposals for a scheme to compensate those infected with Hepatitis C through blood or blood products but "without any presumption that such a scheme would be desirable or inevitable." Scottish Ministers were asked to agree to respond in terms of a draft letter which identified the difficulties in the proposed scheme and recommended "that pressure to establish a no-fault compensation scheme should continue to be resisted." Read more about The Department of Health prepared proposals for a scheme to compensate those infected with Hepatitis C through blood or blood products but "without any presumption that such a scheme would be desirable or inevitable." Scottish Ministers were asked to agree to respond in terms of a draft letter which identified the difficulties in the proposed scheme and recommended "that pressure to establish a no-fault compensation scheme should continue to be resisted."