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Work is ongoing to establish what compensation local victims of the UK's 'infected blood scandal' might receive.
It's an area that Deputy Lester Queripel has been pursuing during his time in the States and he asked for an update shortly before Christmas.
He asked Health and Social Care for an "update on the discussions between the States of Guernsey and the UK government, regarding compensation being paid to islanders who were affected by the UK Infected Blood scandal?"
It's known that there were a small number of people affected with up to four deaths linked to the scandal.
Those tragedies were a result of people receiving blood infected with hepatitis or HIV during the 1970s and 1980s.
The victims - both the fatalities and those people still living with the repercussions today - were receiving care for haemophilia or other haematological disorders, or were recovering from childbirth, surgery, or other medical treatments at the time of their transfusions with the infected blood.
HSC has previously confirmed that up to nine people are receiving, or have received support, from Public Health in Guernsey because of their infection at the hands of the NHS and Deputy Queripel has repeatedly pushed for them to be financially compensated for their ordeal.
Nationally, more than 3,000 people have died as a result of this scandal, while thousands more people continue to live with on-going related health conditions.
In the UK, known victims of the scandal are able to claim compensation through a scheme announced by the Government last year.
While at least one person had said they had previously received compensation from the UK government after being given infected blood, there is no record of this, and HSC has repeatedly said it is not confirmed that local victims can claim compensation through the UK.
In response to Deputy Queripel's latest request for an update in the situation, HSC said its work is ongoing.
"The Committee is aware that the United Kingdom is drafting Regulations to ensure that both individuals who received treatment with infected blood and other affected individuals, such as family members, are eligible to receive compensation. Through the External Relations team, HSC Officers and St James’ Chambers have been consulted," it said.
NHS blood scandal affected Guernsey patients treated off-island
Infected blood scandal spread to Guernsey
Little known officially about local impact of infected blood scandal
'Four' deaths linked to blood scandal
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