Vol. 448 No. 2
2 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Health the total number of women and children respectively who have tested positive for the hepatitis C virus arising from Anti D immunoglobin; the treatment, information, counselling and advice which has been made available in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1598/95]
3 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health when he expects to receive the report of the expert committee on hepatitis C; when he will make it available to the public; if it will be published in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1676/95]
31 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the provision of medical cards for all women who contacted hepatitis C through Anti D treatment as an interim measure for compensation. [1032/95]
36 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health if he will make medical cards available to women, men and children infected with hepatitis C through contact with the Anti D treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1684/95]
37 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Health, in relation to the Government decision to pay compensation to women who have been infected by hepatitis C after receiving Anti D, if he has designed a schedule of payment; the way in which he will allocate compensation to the women involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1687/95]
(Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 2, 3, 31, 36 and 37 together.
I have been informed by the Blood Transfusion Service Board (BTSB) that the number of persons screened for hepatitis C under the national blood screening programme is 56,273 as at 17 January 1995. The number tested positive for hepatitis C antibodies as at 17 January 1995 is 1,037; 455 of these women are positive for the hepatitis C virus.
The Blood Transfusion Service Board has also informed me that as at 17 January 1995, 1,265 children and 363 partners have been screened for hepatitis C. Up to that date, ten children have tested positive for hepatitis C antibodies and two of these children have tested positive for the virus. Three partners have tested positive for hepatitis C antibodies. Further investigations are underway in these cases.
A comprehensive counselling programme involving medical consultants at the Blood Transfusion Service Board and general practitioners throughout the country was put in place by the Blood Transfusion Service Board for persons who received the anti-D product. There is one-to-one medical staff to client-patient consultations. Persons who tested positive for hepatitis C under the national blood screening programme were also invited to Blood Transfusion Services Board consultations which took place in Dublin, Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Clonmel, Cork, Limerick and Galway. To support the Blood Transfusion Service Board counselling services, a counselling programme was also structured by the Blood Transfusion Service Board with the Well Women Centre in Dublin. Large group information meetings on hepatitis C were also held in Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Tralee, Limerick, Galway, Castlebar, Sligo, Monaghan, Mul-lingar and Donegal. Counselling in small groups — up to 20 — is also being undertaken by the Blood Transfusion Service Board. Individual psychological support is also available where this is considered necessary and appropriate.
Medical 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 in other countries has been made available to health professionals and the general public through conferences, leaflets and during counselling.
Treatment for those who test positive for hepatitis C under the national blood screening programme is being provided at the following six designated hospitals: St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin; Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; Mater Hospital, Dublin; St. James's Hospital, Dublin; Cork University Hospital and University College Hospital, Galway.
The treatment initially involves an out-patient visit which may be followed by a short admission for clinical investigation and follow-up treatment, if required. The treatment, including prescribed medication, is being provided by the public hospital service free of charge.
The counselling programme and support services which were put in place to meet the needs of those who have tested positive for hepatitis C under the national blood screening programme will be available for as long as they are required.
The provision of medical cards for those who contracted hepatitis C from anti-D immunoglobulin will be considered by my Department.
I indicated in the policy agreement. A Government of Renewal, I wish to confirm that the Government is committed to providing fair compensation for women infected by the hepatitis C virus from anti-D immunoglobulin. I will be considering the matter of compensation further following the submission to me in the near future of the report of the expert group. Arrangements will be made in due course for the publications of the expert group report.
I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. Is he satisfied that the condition can be reversed by the treatment and therapy used where the virus is active? Is there sufficient careful monitoring of the side effects? Has consideration been given to the possibility that women who were immunised here may have emigrated and may not be aware of these discoveries? What effort has been made to track down such women? The anti-D drug is extremely useful and has helped save thousands of lives since its use in the 1970s. Could the Minister allay the fears of women who are rhesus negative?
(Limerick East): The anti-D drug has been of immense benefit in saving innumerable mothers and babies from death or serious illness. Arrangements have been made for the anti-D product to be imported from Canada. It is being used in hospitals and is very successful and totally safe.
The report of the expert group will be available to me shortly. That will raise a series of issues in accordance with its terms of reference. I do not wish to go into great detail on issues which might pre-empt the advice of the report. The Deputy is aware that there is treatment for hepatitis C but it is difficult to say how effective the treatment can be in individuals cases, while it is clearly effective in some cases.
It is estimated that around 60,000 women would be in the target group and more than 57,000 have been screened. The figure of 60,000 is not an accurate one based on records but is a statistical estimate. Publicity was used to carry the message to the widest possible group but there is always the possibility that some women will not hear about it. What is more likely is that some women will decide not to come forward for screening for their own personal and private reasons.
The Minister referred to the Government's commitment to give fair compensation to women, children and spouses affected by this disaster. Does he imagine fair compensation can be determined other than having recourse to the courts? Does he agree that to drag such women through the courts would impose an additional trauma on them? Will he commit himself to negotiating this fair compensation without the need to go to the courts? Does he accept this may be a lifetime health issue for some of the women and any compensation would have to be renewable and reviewable because there is a medical difficulty in quantifying how people will fare as time goes by?
(Limerick East): The Deputy will appreciate I will be in a better position to discuss aspects of the report and any compensation that might arise in detail once the report has been evaluated. As I have not received the report I am somewhat constrained. I agree that it will be an ongoing health issue for some women. That is a matter for discussion with individual women and with Positive Action who represent women. I had preliminary discussions with Positive Action and there will be further discussions between their representatives and my officials in the coming weeks.
As the Deputy knows in her capacity as a lawyer, there are precedents for compensation being agreed without recourse to the courts. We will look at how haemophiliacs were compensated. The primary precedent is the manner in which victims of the Stardust fire were treated by the tribunal. I am particularly aware of that because I was the Minister for Justice who brought in that scheme.
I welcome the Minister's comments. Does he accept that the safety of blood products is a key confidence issue? Will he take measures to assure the public of the safety of blood products?
(Limerick East): I accept what the Deputy said. The terms of reference of the expert group deal with that issue. I will take steps to do precisely what the Deputy suggests when I receive the report and evaluate it.
It is now over 12 months since this matter came to light. Would the Minister agree that the submission of the report is not before time? Will he assure the House that he will be in a position to report on and publish the findings of the report in the near future rather than have further procrastination on this issue?
(Limerick East): This is a serious matter. The expert group carried out their work expeditiously. It was difficult and complex work. I have an appointment with Dr. Miriam Hederman O'Brien tomorrow when I will formally receive the report.
