89 and still fighting ACC

A Golden Bay woman who narrowly missed out on $44,000 in Government compensation after contracting hepatitis C from a contaminated blood transfusion has had to fight ACC to get even meagre help for her condition, her companion says.

David Amos, who has been fighting to help Pat Hayter, who turns 89 today, said they had discussed her case only to highlight the "absolute shambles" of ACC's Medical Misadventure Unit.

Mrs Hayter was given a blood transfusion during a cervical cancer operation in January 1990. The blood was contaminated with hepatitis C.

Ten years later she began to suffer symptoms of the potentially fatal liver disease, such as extreme fatigue and nausea. Tests confirmed hepatitis C.

The Government offered $44,000 compensation to those who became infected with hepatitis C between February 1990 and July 1992, when it began funding blood screening. Mrs Hayter's operation fell two weeks outside the eligibility dates.

After a long battle with ACC she was awarded $505 for medical costs and a weekly impairment allowance of $35.20.

Mr Amos said it was "ridiculous" Mrs Hayter had not only had to battle ACC for support, but had missed out on Government compensation.

"The whole thing just stinks."

An ACC spokesman said the organisation would be happy to discuss Mrs Hayter's case in the new year.

- NZPA