UK infected blood

[WoosieWoo]

Hi all

I’m new here and trying my hardest to gather information regarding the scandal of infected blood within the NHS. My mother was given a blood transfusion back in the 1980’s and recently had a Hepatitis C diagnosis which hit us out of the blue!!

I’ve been following all the guidelines and applying to the EIBSS scheme on her behalf and they have refused her on the basis of no medical records (most were destroyed or “unavailable”) but the most frustrating thing is they have said because she has Genotype 2, which they feel is rare in the Uk that she couldn’t possibly contracted it through a transfusion.

Anyone else had this?? Anyone successfully appealed??? I’m just trying to find something to help her.

Many thanks

[bantam12]

My husband caught hep c from transfusions around that time. I can't offer any help but can tell you he had to obtain all his detailed medical records going right back and it was a very long process. I imagine if your mum doesn't have any records then it's going to be extremely difficult to prove.

[WoosieWoo in reply to bantam12]

Thanks for your reply. Our hospital stated that seeing as it was 38 years ago they no longer hold maternity notes. The GP notes we did get are basic at best. It’s so frustrating

[bantam12 in reply to WoosieWoo]

I'm sure it is, my husband was a cancer patient at the time of the transfusions so all his records were kept.

Is her Consultant involved in the application process ? It may be different now but in 2008 when my husband was diagnosed the application was done by his Consultant once she had the evidence from his records.

[WoosieWoo in reply to bantam12]

In our area we don’t have a department that deals with hep c etc so we have to travel but I’ve sent forms to the records departments which I got via the infected blood inquiry. I received a reply from the hospital saying the latest the records are held are 1988.

[bantam12 in reply to WoosieWoo]

Isn't she under a Hepatologist and receiving treatment ?

[WoosieWoo in reply to bantam12]

Yep. They even stated in their application that they believe she got it from a transfusion.

[bantam12 in reply to WoosieWoo]

I guess believing "she got it from a transfusion" but without any evidence is the sticking point, no idea how you proceed but possibly it's not looking hopeful.

I hope your mum gets on ok with the treatment.

Good luck

[Wass71 in reply to WoosieWoo]

Maternity records have to legally be kept for 25 years. But GP notes should have been transferred to a database at some point. When people leave maternity care a summary of the birth is sent to the gp. I wonder if that might be a way around it?? I would hope that any formal record showing a blood transfusion would be enough.

I wish you luck with getting the result you deserve. I hope your mum's health is stable, and she gets treatment.

Take care x