FAMILIES of those who died in the infected blood scandal will get compensation in months, it has been announced.
They will be able to register their loved ones’ estates from October to be in line for a £100,000 interim payment.
Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds made the announcement as he apologised to the victims of what has been called the worst treatment disaster in NHS history.
He told MPs: “Work is progressing to ensure these payments are made as soon as we are able to.”
More than 30,000 people were infected with deadly viruses from blood transfusions or blood products while having NHS care between the 1970s and early 1990s.
This year, a public inquiry report said the scandal was covered up, exposing victims to unacceptable risks.
Then-PM Rishi Sunak promised payouts and the new government has agreed to honour them.
Interim compensation of more than £1billion has already been paid to 4,606 victims or partners.
Campaigner Jason Evans welcomed the announcement, saying: “Families have waited far too long.”
Jason Evans, director of Factor 8, which campaigns on behalf of victims, welcomed the announcement.
He said: “Bereaved families have waited far too long to see any compensation, with the Infected Blood Inquiry recommending these interim payments in April 2023.”
made to patients infected with contaminated blood products and bereaved partners – a total of 4,606 recipients.
Jason Evans, director of Factor 8, which campaigns on behalf of victims, welcomed the announcement, adding: “Bereaved families have waited far too long to see any compensation, with the Infected Blood Inquiry recommending these interim payments in April 2023.”
IT'S thought that tens of thousands of people in the UK were infected with contaminated blood between the 1970s and early 1990s.
Statisticians advising the Infected Blood Inquiry have come up with a number of different figures about how many people have been infected, but they have stressed there is “considerable uncertainty about the conclusions”.
Commentators have suggested that the figures – particularly those around hepatitis C infections – should be seen as a “starting point”.
According to the inquiry’s Statistics Expert Group:
It’s been estimated that 3,000 people have died as a result of the infections, while others live with ongoing side effects of infection.
