Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 1, 3, 7, 17, 26, 28, 30, 45, and 46 together.
Treatment for those diagnosed positive for hepatitis C, irrespective of the source of infection, is being provided at the following six designated hospitals:— Beaumont Hospital, Dublin; Mater Hospital, Dublin; St. James's Hospital, Dublin; St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin; Cork University Hospital; and University College Hospital, Galway.
The treatment may initially involve 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. A counselling service is available at the following locations: Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Clare, Donegal, Wexford, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Cavan-Monaghan, Westmeath and Kilkenny.
The Blood Transfusion Service Board (BTSB) will arrange transport for people from Meath, Kildare and Wicklow to attend at the BTSB or the Well Woman Centre for counselling.
Arrangements for counselling may be made by contacting the Blood Transfusion Service Board (BTSB) or by contacting a general practitioner. The counselling service arranged by the BTSB is currently being reviewed to ensure that the service is responsive to the great variety of needs of those diagnosed positive for hepatitis C.
The services put in place for persons who have tested positive for hepatitis C will be available for as long as they are required. The needs of those who have been diagnosed as positive for hepatitis C will be monitored and re-assessed on an on-going basis to ensure that the necessary support services are provided to meet their needs.
I have asked the BTSB to ensure that information required from the board is forthcoming on request to people with hepatitis C who received blood transfusions or anti-D. In this regard, a free phone service is being operated by the BTSB.
The Blood Transfusion Service Board is currently implementing a targeted look back programme to identify persons who may have been infected with hepatitis C as a result of receiving a blood transfusion. This programme has two phases, the first phase will attempt to identify donors who have tested positive for hepatitis C, the product (red blood cells, platelets or plasma), the hospital to which the product was issued and the recipient. The second phase will trace the recipient with a view to offering screening. Phase one of the programme is well advanced.
The BTSB has advised that it has identified approximately 100 donors to date who were anti-D recipients who may have donated while positive for hepatitis C and whose donations will be traced.
The BTSB is also endeavouring to trace the infection source of those persons who are known to be positive for hepatitis C and who received a blood transfusion in the past.
A limited ex gratia expenses scheme is being operated by the BTSB to ensure that all anti-D recipients are in a position to avail of the screening, counselling and treatment services.
The policy document, A Government of Renewal, included a commitment to fair compensation for women infected by the hepatitis C virus from anti-D. The Government has decided to establish, as a matter of urgency, a tribunal which will assess compensation on an ex-gratia basis in respect of anti-D recipients who are infected with hepatitis C antibodies-virus and the partners and children of these women who are also infected with hepatitis C antibodies-virus.
Other groups who have members who are positive for hepatitis C are also seeking compensation. There is on going consideration in my Department of the position in relation to people who are positive for hepatitis C or who were recipients of blood transfusions. I have met with representatives of Transfusion Positive, who represent 48 blood transfusion recipients who are hepatitis C positive and advised them that decisions in relation to access to the compensation tribunal, when established, for groups other than anti-D recipients will be made in due course. Further discussions will take place in the coming weeks.
The BTSB has advised that there is no evidence that HIV infection can be transmitted through anti-D. Furthermore, worldwide, no cases of HIV transmission have ever been reported with intravenous immunoglobulin.
I am not considering referring the hepatitis C files to the Director of Public Prosecutions.