Posted: 4-Oct-2006 << BACK
New money for a hepatitis C action plan was found by the Executive after protests by respondents to a consultation on the proposals, it has emerged. The plan to keep new cases of the virus in check and to improve services to sufferers was announced by Health Minister Andy Kerr last week. It included 4million to be shared between health boards over two years, with a further 314,000 for a campaign to raise awareness among professionals and to ensure access to the best treatment and support.
When the proposals were put out to consultation last summer, they did not have new funding attached to them. Reservations about this were expressed by nearly every respondent, as they warned the aims would be impossible to achieve without it. There were also concerns about lack of clarity and planning detail, a lack of measurable objectives and a focus on NHS services at the expense of social care and the voluntary sector. The executive said the views helped to shape the finalised action plan. The misgivings were described in an independent analysis of the consultation responses, conducted last year but published yesterday.
Analysts found that the creation of an action plan, and the proposals it contained, were welcomed, but respondents warned that substantial new funding was essential for it to succeed. As a result, the action plan was likely to be undermined and problems associated with hepatitis C were likely only to get worse.
The report to the executive stated: "A number of respondents expressed what can only be described as cynicism and scepticism about the purpose of publishing an action plan without new funding attached.
"Respondents saw the need for additional funding in relation to nearly every aspect of the action plan, but particular concerns were voiced about the existing lack of accessible testing and treatment services and the under-funding of needle exchange and drug treatment services in some areas, as well as the need for enhanced laboratory facilities."
A an executive spokeswoman said yesterday that the funding announced along with the action plan was additional money.
We analysed the consultation and took it on board," she said. "There was a broad range of stakeholders giving supportive comments on the action plan and it has been widely supported."
PAUL GALLAGHER - 03 October 2006 - This is North Scotland
You can read/download a pdf fle of The Scottish Action Plan for hepatitis C below
Attachment: Scottish Action Plan 26 9 06.pdf
