Vol. 442 No. 7
66 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the total number of women screened to date in the current anti-D screening programme; the total who have tested positive; the number who have had liver enzyme tests; the percentage of which were positive; the number now on treatment; the duration of the treatment; the response to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have been informed by the Blood Transfusion Service Board that, as of 9 May 1994, 49,927 persons have been screened for hepatitis C antibodies under their hepatitis C/anti D screening programme and the number who have tested positive is 920. A further confirmatory test is being carried out on the blood samples given by these people and I have been informed by the Blood Transfusion Service Board that the indications now emerging are that a greater number are now proving to be negative.
A total of 256 people have attended at the special consultant staffed out-patient clinics, all of whom have had a liver enzyme test. A total of 215 have been referred for a liver biopsy. The question of the nature and type of ongoing medical treatment is a matter for clinical decision and this will depend on the health status of the individual patient.
