Scottish Infected Blood Support Scheme 2017: April 2022 amendment

Schedule 6

Application Procedure

Application form

1. An application for a payment under this Scheme is to be made on such form as the Common Services Agency may specify. 

2. An initial application by a qualifying person to join this Scheme is to be made within 12 months of diagnosis, but the Common Services Agency may extend that time period at their discretion on cause shown.

2A. A qualifying person may make any subsequent application at any time following acceptance of that person’s initial application.

 3. In determining an application, the Common Services Agency is to take into account of information provided by the applicant and may also seek clinical advice from health service or other bodies as appropriate.

Supporting information

 4. Applicants are to provide such supporting information as the Common Services Agency may reasonably require.

 5. Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph 4, supporting information may include-

a) proof of name and address, including previous names and addresses;

b) proof of marriage, civil partnership or other relationship as appropriate;

c) medical information, such as medical records and other supporting information from a registered medical practitioner;

d) evidence, other than that described in paragraph (c), of treatment involving receipt of blood, tissue or a blood product;

e) witness and personal statements.

Appeals

 6. Where an application under this Scheme is refused, the Common Services Agency is to give notice of that refusal to the applicant. 

 7. The applicant may appeal to the Common Services Agency within 3 months of the date of issue of the notice referred to in paragraph 6, but the Common Services Agency may extend that time period at their discretion on cause shown. 

 8. The Common Services Agency is to establish a panel of persons who have not had a role in determining applications to consider appeals under paragraph 7.

 9. Where the panel established under paragraph 8 refuses an appeal under paragraph 7, the Common Services Agency is to give the applicant a note of the panel’s reasons for refusing the appeal.