A SIX-YEAR-OLD boy is facing a safer future following a landmark victory for haemophiliac children throughout the country.

East Lancashire Health Authority will be forced to pay for safer but more expensive blood-clotting treatment for the youngster after a ruling by Health Secretary Frank Dobson.

Parents of the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been due to meet the health authority on March 12 for the latest round of their battle to secure genetically-engineered recombinant factor eight treatment.

But Mr Dobson's decision means that all health authorities will now be made to provide factor eight, instead of the cheaper alternative which is based on human blood products. The order applies to all sufferers up to the age of 16.

Some north west health authorities have already provided the more expensive product for patients, including some who receive treatment alongside the East Lancashire youngster at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury.

Today his delighted father said: "It is wonderful news - but it should have happened 18-months-ago.

"After a lot of pain and heartache they have finally come to their senses.

"At the moment he is on a blood derived product which means he could be at risk from any number of viruses like hepatitis, HIV and even CJD.

"We will be able to become a bit more relaxed about things once he switches to factor eight.

"The actual drug itself does the same thing. The difference is the way that it is grown."

The boy's parents hope to hear this week when they will be able to switch the new treatment but must wait for guidance from the health authority.

They had already attempted to fight their case through the High Court but had their bid thrown out.

Cash-strapped Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and East Lancashire Health Authority both argued that the drug being used is safe.

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