Overview

This bill aims to provide support for individuals infected with diseases due to contaminated NHS blood and blood products, and their families. It establishes a committee to advise on haemophilia treatment, improves blood donation safety, introduces NHS compensation cards and financial compensation, and conducts a review of existing support.

Description

The bill has several key components:

Haemophilia Treatment Advisory Committee:

A committee will be established to advise on haemophilia treatment in the UK, focusing on therapy selection, accessibility, financial needs, and international comparisons. The committee will include haemophilia clinicians, Haemophilia Society representatives, Department of Health representatives, and people with haemophilia.

Improved Blood Safety:

The bill mandates improved blood donation safety through prion filtration and routine testing for various diseases (hepatitis B and C, HIV, HTLV, syphilis, and vCJD) for both existing haemophilia patients and all blood donors.

NHS Compensation Cards:

A scheme will issue NHS Compensation Cards to those infected by contaminated blood products, providing free access to prescription drugs, counselling, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and home nursing, along with priority NHS treatment.

Financial Compensation:

Financial compensation will be provided to those infected, their carers, widows, and dependents. Payments will include an initial lump sum and periodical payments, and will not be means-tested or dependent on the reason for, age at, or time of treatment.

Review of Support:

A review will examine eligibility for benefits for dependents of deceased infected individuals, the provision of medical insurance, the number of potentially unknowingly infected people, and funding for relevant charities.

Government Spending

The bill will lead to increased government spending on compensation payments, healthcare services (through the NHS Compensation Cards), and the establishment and operation of the advisory committee and review. Exact figures are not provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• People with haemophilia: Will benefit from improved treatment advice, blood safety measures, and potential compensation.
• Individuals infected by contaminated blood: Will receive NHS Compensation Cards, free healthcare services, and financial compensation.
• Carers, widows, and dependants of infected individuals: Will be eligible for financial compensation.
• NHS: Will be responsible for implementing the new schemes and providing services.
• Blood donors: Will undergo more extensive testing.
• Haemophilia charities: May receive additional funding, subject to the review's recommendations.

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