Whether it will ring-fence sufficient funding to address the hepatitis C epidemic, as it did at the outset of the HIV epidemic, and what th…

Answered Asked by Margaret Ewing SNP Lodged 18 Jan 2005

The question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ring-fence sufficient funding to address the hepatitis C epidemic, as it did at the outset of the HIV epidemic, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

The answer

Answered by Andy Kerr on 31 Jan 2005 · 13 days after it was lodged, on time

The Executive already gives over £8 million per year to NHS boards in earmarked resources for work to prevent bloodborne viruses, including hepatitis C. NHS boards use these resources in a variety of ways taking account of local need, including awareness-raising initiatives and needle exchange schemes.
In addition to the specific allocation for blood-borne viruses, NHS boards are given a unified budget to meet the health care needs of their resident population. It is a decision for NHS boards how best to utilise this funding to meet local and national priorities including the treatment and prevention of hepatitis C.

In the Official Report

No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-13608 by reference.