The Government’s response to Lord Archer’s report was published on 20 May 2009. Implementation to date of the Government’s response to the report is as follows:
Recommendation 1 (A committee to advise the Government on the management of haemophilia)—the first meeting with the Haemophilia Alliance will be held on 20 November 2009. Representatives from the Health Departments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and a member from the independent advisory committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) have been invited to attend.
Recommendations 2 and 3 (Haemophilia patients, their partners, and all blood donors to receive any tests recommended by the committee)—no specific implementation date required as any new relevant tests will be considered by the Alliance or SaBTO as and when they arise.
Recommendation 4 (Free prescriptions and free access to other services “not freely available under the national health service including...general practitioner visits, counselling, physiotherapy, home nursing and support services” for those infected)—Professor Ian Gilmore’s review of prescription charges in England for those with long term conditions, is due to report shortly. The Government will consider whether further action is required in England to implement Lord Archer’s recommendation following the Gilmore review.
Recommendation 5 (Secure future of Haemophilia Society by adequate funding)—the Government have committed £100,000 per annum funding to the Haemophilia Society for the next five years. The Department has discussed this with the Haemophilia Society on a number of occasions and is currently awaiting a written proposal from the Society to enable the funds to be released.
Recommendation 6 (Financial assistance should be increased and take the form of prescribed periodic payments)—funding to the Macfarlane and Eileen Trusts (for HIV) is being increased in line with the Government response. Some administrative and legal changes have been needed to enable the trusts to make these new payments, but it is anticipated that beneficiaries should receive their new payments in December 2009 with any back-payments being made before the end of March 2010. All payments will be back-dated to 20 May 2009 and payments will be made to the estates of any individual who has died since 20 May 2009. As indicated in the Government response, the Skipton Fund (for hepatitis C) will be reviewed in 2014.
Recommendation 7 (Access to insurance by providing premiums or setting up separate scheme)—no implementation date required as the Government’s position is as outlined in its response.