As at 12 February 2010, the Trustees have had 49 meetings.

As at 17 May 2010, there were 172 victims of vCJD, according to the website of the National CJD Surveillance Unit. However Field Fisher Waterhouse are aware of 177 victims. Main Applications have been received by Field Fisher Waterhouse in relation to 175 victims. 171 claims have been considered in full by the Trustees. 373 claims for £5,000 for having suffered an identifiable psychiatric injury lasting longer than one calendar month have been considered by the Trustees. 201 claims have been made for particular emotional hardship as a result of having or had a psychiatric condition. 130 of these have been approved and payments made. 40 claims have been made for particular financial hardship as a result of suffering a psychiatric condition. 24 of these have been approved and payments made.

The majority of the payments considered to date have been paid. As at 17 May 2010, the total amount paid in compensation is £38.7 million, and the total paid in fees and expenses is £12.1 million (including legal fees, Trustees’ fees and disbursements such as psychiatrist’s and GP’s fees).

Following representations made by the Trustees to the Deparment of Health and consultation with the CJD Support Network, Contact a Family and solicitors who have acted for families of Victims in the past, the Department of Health agreed to a revision of the Scheme in early 2010. The revision simplifies the procedure for making payments to Victims and their families. It came into effect on 12 February 2010 and applies to all Victims diagnosed on or after 31 March 2010.

At the request of a number of Victims’ families, 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.

The next Trustees’ meeting has been arranged for 11 June 2010.

Abbreviated Minutes

Please click on the links below for the Abbreviated Minutes.