Question
Untitled item
S4W-28863 · Written Question · lodged by Carlaw, Jackson
Lodged on
08 Dec 2015Heard / answered on
21 Dec 2015To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to implement the recommendation by the Scottish Public Inquiry into Hepatitis C/HIV acquired infection from NHS treatment in Scotland with blood and blood products (Penrose Inquiry) that all reasonable steps be taken to offer a hepatitis C test to everyone who had a blood transfusion before 1991.
The answer
The single recommendation of the Penrose Inquiry report was that the Scottish Government should offer a hepatitis C test to everyone in Scotland who had a blood transfusion before September 1991 and who has not already been tested. A short life working group has been established by Health Protection Scotland to take this recommendation forward involving key stakeholders such as patient representatives, the Scottish Government and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service. It will consider what further action should be taken and oversee the implementation of any additional interventions. Initial scoping work has been carried out with regard to the estimated size of the target group and an options appraisal is in progress on possible future actions.
Anyone who considers themselves to be at risk of hepatitis C infection, or who believes they may have been infected via NHS blood or blood products, can receive a test for hepatitis C from their GP practice at any time.
Anyone who considers themselves to be at risk of hepatitis C infection, or who believes they may have been infected via NHS blood or blood products, can receive a test for hepatitis C from their GP practice at any time.
Answered by Maureen Watt on 21 Dec 2015.