• The Minutes and Resolutions of the previous meeting were approved.

• It was reported that there were 146 victims of vCJD as at 5 April 2004, according to the figures on the Department of Health’s website.  Main Applications had been received in relation to 139 victims.  By the end of this meeting, the Trustees will have considered 133 cases on the claims submitted to date.  The Trustees had considered a total of 166 claims for psychiatric injury.

• Richard Vallance, of Charles Russell solicitors, reported on his meeting with David Body, of Irwin Mitchell solicitors, to discuss the claims that require “particular hardship” or “particular financial or emotional hardship”.

• In relation to Clause 4.3.2, psychiatric condition giving rise to particular financial and emotional hardship, it was reported that Irwin Mitchell had advised that there were about 41 claims for particular financial hardship, 45 for particular emotional hardship and 45 for both particular and emotional hardship.

• Concern was raised again by the Trustees in relation to the transmission of vCJD by contaminated blood.

• It was noted that there was growing concern amongst the earlier families that their particular experiences had not been recognised adequately under the Scheme.  In cases where the diagnosis of vCJD had been first reasonably suspected before 26 October 2000 the family would be awarded an additional £5,000 for the Basic Sum (£125,000) under Clause 1.29 of the Trust Deed and an additional £5,000 for the Experience of the Family (£10,000) Under Clause 4.1.

• The Trustees considered Guidance provided by Professor Michael Sharp of the vCJD Surveillance Unit on Abnormal Grief Reaction.

• The Trustees considered 1 new claim, 5 claims with outstanding issues, and 15 claims by family members of 11 Victims for the single sum of £5,000 for psychiatric injury lasting longer than a calendar month that has been caused or materially aggravated by the fact that the victim has contracted vCJD.