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<p>The decision that there should be a two-stage ex-gratia payment system was taken
when the scheme was first established in 2003-04. An initial ‘stage 1’ lump sum payment
was made in respect of chronic infection with hepatitis C, with a second ‘stage 2’
lump sum payment when people reached a more advanced stage of illness. The Department
sought the advice of an independent group of experts regarding a medical trigger for
the higher payment that could reliably be diagnosed with non-invasive tests that were
available nationwide. The advice received was that the second lump sum payment should
be triggered following a diagnosis of cirrhosis or liver cancer, or if a person had
received a liver transplant.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>In addition, as a result
of the 2010 expert review, a further condition was added to those conditions that
triggered eligibility for the second stage payment, namely hepatitis C-associated
B-cell non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>
</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> </p>
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