Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to Annex A, Section B of his Department's consultation response to Infected blood support: special category mechanism, published on 6 March 2017, for what reasons Section B can only be completed by a hospital doctor or viral hepatitis nurse; and if he will make it his policy that general practitioners with knowledge of a patient's mental health are also able to complete Section B.

Paragraph 3.8 of the Department Infected blood: Government Response to Consultation on Special Category Mechanism and other support in England, published 28 September 2017 states:

“We have also listened to concerns respondents had regarding the need for a medical expert to assist with the application process. As we outlined in the consultation, the expectation is that the required medical evidence to support the application will be provided by a hospital consultant or viral hepatitis nurse as they are likely to have a detailed understanding of the individual’s condition. However we understand that in some cases a GP will be best placed to provide this evidence, such as when the individual is not in regular contact with a consultant or hepatitis nurse.”

This is reiterated in the foot note to the guidance notes contained in Annex A and the applicant may also contact the scheme administrator for further advice. This makes it clear that general practitioners can complete section B.