Written question WQ95255
- Asked by
- Sam RowlandsConservative
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 10 days
Question
How is the Welsh Government encouraging maximum take-up for the infected blood support scheme?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
Since 2016, the Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme (WIBSS) has proactively contacted GP practices across Wales to ask them to refer those patients where they believe there is a possibility of their eligibility to join the scheme.
Since May 2024, Welsh Government officials have worked with health boards to promote access to the Public Health Wales home testing service for Hepatitis C and HIV. This is aimed at people who believe they may have received infected blood or blood products. If they receive a positive result, they are encouraged to make contact with WIBSS.
We are working with colleagues across the UK and with the new Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) to promote awareness of the new scheme and encourage those who believe they or their loved ones were infected to make a claim for compensation.
IBCA issues regular updates via both the press and social media. Application forms and advice are available both directly from WIBSS and IBCA.