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Infected Blood Scandal Victims Face Compensation Delays
Victims of the infected blood scandal are tragically dying at a rate of two per week as they await compensation. Campaigners are expressing outrage over the extensive delays in payouts agreed upon by the Government, intended for those impacted by what is considered the National Health Service’s (NHS) biggest ever scandal.
Delays Cause Outrage as Victims Perish
A staggering number, exceeding 30,000 patients, were infected with HIV and hepatitis following transfusions with contaminated blood products during the 1970s and 1980s. This catastrophic event has led to over 3,000 fatalities.
A public inquiry in May of the previous year uncovered evidence indicating that authorities had deliberately concealed the true magnitude of the scandal.
The Government has allocated £11.8 billion to provide compensation to victims and others significantly affected, including parents, children, and siblings of those infected.
However, the protracted processing of compensation payments has sparked fears that numerous victims may not live long enough to receive any financial redress. Among those anxiously waiting is Tony Summers, 89.
Personal Accounts of Loss and Frustration
Mr. Summers’ son, Paul, tragically died at the age of 44 after contracting both HIV and hepatitis C from blood products used to treat his haemophilia.
Mr. Summers, informed that his compensation may not materialise until 2029, voiced his despair: ‘I’ll be 93 then – it makes you question whether it will ever happen.’
Campaigners are angered by the slow pace of Government agreed payments reaching those affected by the NHS scandal.
Labour MP Clive Efford highlighted the issue as a source of embarrassment for the Government.
He further added, expressing a deep concern: ‘People are still succumbing to their illnesses. Parents are passing away. It increasingly feels like there is a deliberate tactic at play – if they delay long enough, they believe they can avoid making the necessary payments.’
Lynne Kelly, chair of Haemophilia Wales, emphasised the urgent need for resolution, stating that those affected have been campaigning for over forty years seeking closure.
‘We are currently losing two individuals each week. This is an untenable situation. With each passing day, fewer people will remain eligible for compensation, and ultimately, less funds will be disbursed,’ Ms. Kelly explained.
Labour MP Clive Efford, who chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Haemophilia and Contaminated Blood, described the situation as ‘an embarrassing issue for the Government’, underscoring the growing political pressure to expedite the compensation process.