At the outset of her appointment as CEO of the Haemophilia Society, Karin Pappenheim was given to understand that the campaign for compensation for people with haemophilia infected with Hepatitis C was a very high priority. Read more about At the outset of her appointment as CEO of the Haemophilia Society, Karin Pappenheim was given to understand that the campaign for compensation for people with haemophilia infected with Hepatitis C was a very high priority.
There may have been input from members of the Medical Advisory Panel which was not passed on by the Society's internal Blood Products Sub-Committee, as arguably it should have been. Read more about There may have been input from members of the Medical Advisory Panel which was not passed on by the Society's internal Blood Products Sub-Committee, as arguably it should have been.
The Executive Committee had not been told that there was now an authoritative report on the possibility of sexual transmission, and Professor Bloom knew but downplayed it as a real risk. Read more about The Executive Committee had not been told that there was now an authoritative report on the possibility of sexual transmission, and Professor Bloom knew but downplayed it as a real risk.
No questions were asked of Professor Bloom despite the Cardiff case as the Society was too trusting of his advice and was further deferential to Reverend Tanner. Read more about No questions were asked of Professor Bloom despite the Cardiff case as the Society was too trusting of his advice and was further deferential to Reverend Tanner.
By the time of the meeting on 8 October 1983 the realisation had dawned within the Society membership that a crisis was looming. Read more about By the time of the meeting on 8 October 1983 the realisation had dawned within the Society membership that a crisis was looming.
The Society placed undue reliance on the views of Professor Bloom who was not only chair of UKHCDO but also a principal point of reference when seeking advice. Read more about The Society placed undue reliance on the views of Professor Bloom who was not only chair of UKHCDO but also a principal point of reference when seeking advice.
The Society was not an organisation in which grassroots usually had any direct influence on what the central body, the Executive Committee, had to say. It was instead governed from the top down. Read more about The Society was not an organisation in which grassroots usually had any direct influence on what the central body, the Executive Committee, had to say. It was instead governed from the top down.
The Society did not read medical and scientific information with other bodies, such as the either the Irish society or the US society. However, David Watters confirmed in his oral evidence that there were regular meetings with the Irish Haemophilia Society. Read more about The Society did not read medical and scientific information with other bodies, such as the either the Irish society or the US society. However, David Watters confirmed in his oral evidence that there were regular meetings with the Irish Haemophilia Society.
David Watters agreed in his oral evidence that it had been somewhat odd for the Society to share negative advice about the prospects of litigation with their members. Giving out an adverse opinion to third parties, which had been confidential to the Society, was waiving confidentiality. Read more about David Watters agreed in his oral evidence that it had been somewhat odd for the Society to share negative advice about the prospects of litigation with their members. Giving out an adverse opinion to third parties, which had been confidential to the Society, was waiving confidentiality.
The Society had not been aware of another viable alternative and went along with the advice that they were given. Read more about The Society had not been aware of another viable alternative and went along with the advice that they were given.