vCJD Main Trust Update & Minutes

The Trustees have had 43 meetings to date, as set out below.

As at 4 June 2007, there were 165 victims of vCJD, according to the Department of Health statistics. However Charles Russell are aware of 170 victims. Main Applications have been received by Charles Russell, Solicitors, in relation to 166 victims. 163 claims have been considered in full by the Trustees. 351 claims for £5,000 for having suffered an identifiable psychiatric injury lasting longer than one calendar month have been considered by the Trustees. 169 claims have been made for particular emotional hardship as a result of having or had a psychiatric condition. 109 of these have been approved and payments made. 35 claims have been made for particular financial hardship as a result of suffering a psychiatric condition. 20 of these have been approved and payments made.

The majority of the payments considered to date have been paid. The total amount paid in compensation is £36.8 million, and the total paid in fees and expenses is £9.9 million (including legal fees, Trustees' fees and disbursements such as psychiatrist's and GP's fees).

On 23 June 2006 the Trustees of the vCJD Trust invited representatives from the CJD Support Network, the Human BSE Foundation and families' solicitors to discuss the progress and problems of the compensation Scheme. Annie McVey and Mike Sinnott also attended. The Trustees outlined their proposal for a radical revision of the Trust for future Victims of vCJD who are diagnosed after the fifth anniversary of the present Scheme. This revision, if accepted, would simplify the procedure for making payments to Victims and their families. The Trustees sought the views of those present, and it was agreed that the proposal should be made to the Secretary of State.

On 19 July 2006 Sir Robert Owen and Dr David Stevens met the Secretary of State when the Trustees' proposal was considered and discussed. No indication of what decision is likely to be made was given, although it was made clear that the proposals would be taken very seriously.

The Department of Health has since requested additional information from the Trustees and detailed consideration is given by the Secretary of State. However the Trustees have not yet received any decision from them.

The Trustees also agreed on 23 June 2006 to reconsider the principles underlying the claims for care provided by families. Their response was sent to family solicitors on 7 September 2006 and can be found by clicking here.

The next Trustees' meeting has been arranged for 10 October 2008.

Abbreviated Minutes

Please click on the links below for the Abbreviated Minutes.

Additional Meetings

1. Irwin Mitchell, Solicitors on 21st June 2002. Please click here to view a note/report of it.

2. Secretary of State on 25th October 2004. Please click here to view the Abbreviated Minutes.

3. Meeting between the Human BSE Foundation and the Trustees on 14 July 2004. Please click here to view the Abbreviated Minutes.