Vol. 443 No. 3
2 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the formation of a support group for women sufferers of hepatitis C arising from anti-D treatment; if he intends to offer any support or financial assistance to the group with a view to catering for improved counselling, treatment, compensation or other support services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
31 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if any women have had to pay for the testing which they have undergone in the recent hepatitis C/anti-D screening programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
49 Mr. Cullen asked the Minister for Health if a person has already died as a result of hepatitis C infection allegedly contracted from a blood transfusion.
53 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health if he has met with the group which has been formed to provide information and support to women who have been diagnosed with hepatitis C; and, if so, the outcome of his discussions.
57 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the precise nature of the counselling available to women who have tested positive in the anti-D screening; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
64 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Health the number of women currently undergoing treatment arising from detection during the course of the anti-D/hepatitis C screening programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
70 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health whether the necessary treatment procedures have been put in place to cater for all of the women who have, to date, tested positive in the course of the hepatitis C/anti-D screening process; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
77 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health the extent, if any, to which information which is currently available in Germany, Canada, Japan, the United States and other countries relating to hepatitis C is being made known to women who have contracted the virus in the course of the anti-D treatment and who have tested positive in the course of the recent screening programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
78 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Health the current treatment programme for women who have tested positive in respect of hepatitis C antibodies or virus; whether a single course of treatment will be sufficient in such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
79 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Health his views on whether it is appropriate for his Department to offer financial assistance to the VHI towards treatment costs associated with the decision to extend cover to anti-D recipients who have tested positive for hepatitis C antibodies or virus; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
82 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Health the number of women who have had liver biopsies arising from the anti-D screening process; the results of such tests; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
96 Mr. Burke asked the Minister for Health if the current industrial dispute by community doctors will affect the screening, counselling and treatment of women suffering from hepatitis C arising from anti-D treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
98 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in the families of women who are hepatitis C positive who have been screened for the virus or antibodies; the number of those who are receiving treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
156 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will give an assurance to Dáil Éireann that women with blood disorders linked to the anti-D injection will receive all related treatment free of charge and will be awarded appropriate compensation for their ill-effects; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that such patients are not covered for any treatment under their VHI.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2, 31, 49, 53, 57, 64, 70, 77, 78, 79, 82, 96, 98 and 156 together.
As I have already indicated to the House, treatment for those who test positive for hepatitis C arising from the national blood screening programme is being provided at the following hospitals: St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin; Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; Mater Hospital, Dublin; St. James's Hospital, Dublin; Cork Regional Hospital and University College Hospital, Galway.
Special consultant staffed clinics have been set up in these hospitals and the number of patients who have been referred to these clinics is 371. The number of patients who have attended at one of the six designated hospitals is 316. A total of 296 patients have been referred to have liver biopsy and the number who have undergone a liver biopsy is 180. It is not possible at this early stage to give a general statement on the results of these biopsies.
It is alleged that some years ago a person died from a fulminant hepatitis which, it is alleged, was related to a blood transfusion. Medical opinion strongly indicates that this would not, in all likelihood, have been due to hepatitis C but I am having the matter fully investigated. If the Deputy has any further information on any particular case, I would be glad if he would send me whatever details he has, and I will be in touch with the Deputy in due course.
As I have already indicated to the House, any treatment for those who test positive for hepatitis C arising from the national blood screening programme is being provided by the public hospital service free of charge. The length of time that a patient will be on treatment for hepatitis C is a matter for clinical decision in each case.
The board of the VHI on 17 May announced its decision to provide cover towards the costs of private hospital accommodation and consultants' charges for members who test positive for hepatitis C arising from the national blood screening programme. My Department will continue to cover the costs of any drugs and medicines prescribed by clinicians for all patients including VHI subscribers who opt for private care.
Screening of children and partners of women who test positive for hepatitis C is under way. I have been informed by the Blood Transfusion Service Board that as at 23 May 1994, 535 children and 167 partners had been screened for hepatitis C. I understand that up to today six children and one partner have tested RIBA positive and further investigations are under way in these cases. There are three stages of testing, namely, the Eliza, the RIBA and the PCR. These people are being notified by the Blood Transfusion Service Board.
I am aware that an action group has been formed for women who test positive for hepatitis C arising from the screening programme. I have received a request to meet with representatives of this group and I have written to the group indicating that I will meet with them in the near future. The Blood Transfusion Service Board has undertaken to provide assistance in terms of expertise and information to any support group or individual.
Counselling is being provided at the Blood Transfusion Service Board's headquarters in Dublin and at the regional centre in Cork for people who have tested positive for hepatitis C. Counselling is provided by the Blood Transfusion Service Board medical consultants and by doctors employed specifically to provide this service. General practitioners throughout the country are also providing a counselling service. In addition, arrangements have been made for counselling to be provided by other health professionals where this is deemed to be appropriate. The Blood Transfusion Service Board will continue to see people on an individual basis at the Blood Transfusion Service Board and in addition are initiating a programme whereby people will be given the opportunity to participate in a series of up to three group sessions. These sessions will comprise 12 women coming together to meet with a hepatitis C specialist and a specialist in stress-anxiety management for a presentation on hepatitis C and a question and answer session.
No consideration has been given at this stage to the question of compensation.
While public health doctors were involved in counselling of recipients of anti-D at the outset of the screening programme, at this stage, public health doctors are not involved in the screening, counselling and treatment programmes in relation to hepatitis C.
Consultants employed by the Blood Transfusion Service Board have collected considerable information from experts in other countries on hepatitis C. Relevant information gathered from experts has been made available to health professionals and the general public through conferences, leaflets and during counselling with individual patients.
Is the Minister aware that women who have sought counselling have been disappointed with the level of counselling available. Information does not seem to be available to the counsellors. Does the Minister propose to address the problem and, if so, how soon? Will compensation be considered and, if so, when?
My first preoccupation is to identify any person who might have contracted hepatitis C. The focus, therefore, has been on the national screening programme which has screened tens of thousands of women. The next priority is to ensure that those who have proved to have hepatitis C are properly treated, counselled and supported. The issue of compensation will arise in due course and will have to be addressed. As to the disappointment expressed by some women, I am aware that in some cases counselling was not as comprehensive as one would like. Consider the extent of this screening programme and the need to introduce it as speedily as possible. If we were planning a screening programme of this volume it would normally have taken a year to do it. It was necessary to do it quickly and there have been gaps in the system. I am determined that, as far as is practicable, proper counselling, support mechanisms and help will be available to all women who have the worry of hepatitis C.
