(DH) Government responds to Archer Inquiry

The Government today responded to the independent inquiry into contaminated blood supplies in the 1970s and 1980s.

In a Written Ministerial Statement, Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo set out the Government's response to the Archer Inquiry into individuals infected by HIV and hepatitis C through infected NHS blood and blood products.

The response includes:

* there will be a significant increase in annual payments to £12,800 for individuals infected with HIV, in addition to the £45 million already given out in lump sums and discretionary payments;

* further support for the Haemophilia Society of £100,000 per year for the next five years; and

* a commitment to review the financial relief for individuals affected by hepatitis C in five years.

Tough measures are already in place to prevent similar events happening in the future. To ensure all patients with bleeding disorders who may have been infected have been identified, a look back exercise will be undertaken.

Minister for Public Health, Dawn Primarolo said:

"I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to all those who suffered in this tragic episode. Sadly, it was not possible to effectively test for these viruses in the 1970s and early 80s and we deeply regret that these events occurred following NHS treatment.

"Steps to safeguard blood products against HIV and hepatitis C have been in place since 1985. Every reasonable step to minimise risks from blood transfusion has been taken and robust screening measures are in place to protect patients.

"In addition to the £150 million already given out in lump sums and discretionary payments to those infected with HIV and hepatitis C, financial help for those infected with HIV will rise to £12,800 per year."

The full response to Lord Archer's report has been placed in the Library of the House.

In keeping with the Government's commitment to make information available that relates to this period, the remaining 468 relevant documents have been placed on the Department of Health website:
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/FreedomOfInformation/Freedomofinformationpublicationschemefeedback/FOIreleases/DH_076693

Celebrity Funny Women to Support Action Aid

This year Funny Women will celebrate International Women’s Day on Sunday 8th March with a fantastic new show, Celebrity Funny Women to be hosted by Claire Sweeney. Well-loved personalities will step out of their comfort zone and perform a short stand-up set in front of a live audience at the London Studios in support of international development charity ActionAid (http://www.actionaid.org.uk/) having been coached and supported by some of Funny Women’s favourite comedians.

Blue Peter legend Janet Ellis will be teamed with impressionist Jan Ravens. PR guru and author (and mother to stand-up Josh Howie) Lynne Franks will find her funny bone with TanyaLee Davis, while sports presenter Gabby Logan will learn the ropes from previous Funny Women winner Andi Osho.

The celebrities will perform short live sets, alongside footage of their learning experiences, at the London Studios, ITV’s Television production complex on the South Bank, where many of the UK’s most famous television shows are made. They will be joined on stage by professional Funny Women favourites including magician/comedian Mandy Muden and double-act Adams and Rea, with musical entertainment from house-band Vaginal Tap.

The charity gala will be held in support of ActionAid’s "Put Your Foot Down" campaign (http://www.actionaid.org.uk/101552/put_your_foot_down.html), which highlights the link between violence against women and the spread of HIV and AIDS. ActionAid is asking the UK public to donate a pair of shoes as a reminder to the UK government to put its foot down and stop both the threat of violence and HIV / AIDS faced by women in the developing world. Box office proceeds raised on the night will be donated to ActionAid.

Funny Women (http://www.funnywomen.com/) encourages ordinary women each year to flex their funny muscles with its unique talent competition, the "Funny Women Awards", and its popular comedy workshops. The seventh annual Funny Women Awards’ launch coincides with the Celebrity Funny Women event on International Women’s Day. As well as promoting new female comedy talent and ensuring that some of the UK’s most talented funny women get a chance to perform around the UK, Funny Women raises funds and awareness for a variety of causes.

“International Women’s Day provides an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the achievements of women. Celebrity Funny Women features some of Britain’s best female comedy performers and stand-ups alongside some other well known faces from stage and screen. They are quite literally standing up for everything that is brave and brilliant about women the world over.” Lynne Parker, Funny Women producer

“We are delighted to be involved in Funny Women for the third year. Women’s rights runs through everything we do at ActionAid in our fight against poverty and this event gives us a fun and enjoyable way to raise awareness of the plight of women around the world. This year we are raising awareness of our campaign Put Your Foot Down which aims to collect 2,876 shoes from the British public – one for every woman who contracts HIV across the world each day. We will be delivering the shoes in a sculpture with our online petition on International Women’s Day, to ask government to use its strong position to make sure that women are placed at the centre of the global Aids response.” Freya Paleit, ActionAid

“We are proud to be hosting this fantastic event for such a good cause. Not only will it showcase new comedy talent, but we are using it to showcase our up-and-coming television production talent by giving our more junior staff the opportunity to work alongside experienced TV professionals. It is a unique opportunity to learn and practice new skills.” Kathy Schulz, Director of The London Studios

Times, dates and booking details:

Date and time Sunday 8 March, 7pm (doors and bar open at 6pm)
Venue The London Studios, Upper Ground, SE1 9LT
Tickets £30 +booking fee / VIP tickets £60+ booking fee (including access to reception with drinks/canapés)
Box office 0844 847 2375 / ticketmaster.co.uk