Haemophilia Society President to challenge government for second time in Lords question on proposed Hepatitis C ex gratia payment scheme On Thursday 25 March, the first business in the House of Lords will be further questioning of Ministers by the Haemophilia Society’s President, Lord Morris of Manchester.
He will question them for the second time in a month on the government’s recent decision to exclude widows from the proposed payments scheme for those infected with hepatitis C by contaminated NHS blood products used to treat their haemophilia. Lord Morris of Manchester said in advance of Thursday’s mini-debate, ‘How can anyone possibly justify excluding widows from help? Surely theirs is the cruellest loss having seen their husband and father die a slow, agonisingly painful death from cirrhosis or liver cancer due entirely to their NHS treatment?’
The Haemophilia Society’s CEO, Karin Pappenheim, added ’The government’s decision to exclude families who have been bereaved as a result of hepatitis lacks compassion and is a bitter blow to those who, surely, have suffered the greatest harm from this tragic treatment disaster.’
Notes to Editors Lord Morris’s PQ is scheduled for 11 am on Thursday 25 March: ‘To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will now reconsider their decision to exclude the widows of patients infected by hepatitis C by contaminated NHS blood and blood products from help under the ex gratia payment scheme.’ For more information please contact Susan O’Sullivan at the Haemophilia Society on 020 7391 9132. Lord Morris of Manchester is available for interview by calling 020 7219 6795. The Haemophilia Society
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