THE members of a consultative council on hepatitis C have been named by the Minister for Health. The council will advise Mr Noonan on all aspects of the virus, on its own initiative or at his request.
It includes members nominated by the four support groups representing those affected by hepatitis C. The council's chairwoman is Ms Leonie Lunny, director of the National Social Services Board.
The council will advise on health and counselling services for people with hepatitis C, including funding the changing needs of infected people developments arising from research and the publication of information on hepatitis C.
Positive Action, the group representing women infected through anti D immunoglobulin, requested such a council in late 1995. The Minister established it in November, 1996.
The council members announced yesterday include Ms Ann Broekhoven, chief executive of the Well Woman Centre Dr John Hegarty, consultant hepatologist, St Vincent's Hospital; Ms Mary Hogan, assistant principal at the Department of Health; Mr Dermot Morris, psychologist and Dr Vivian O'Gorman, chief executive of the Health Research Board.
