The victims of the contaminated blood scandal will finally receive compensation before the end of the year, with some individuals entitled to more than £2.5m. This follows a long-awaited compensation scheme outlined in May after the final report of the infected blood inquiry exposed a “decades-long moral failure.” More than 3,000 people died, and many more had their lives impacted due to diseases like HIV and hepatitis C caused by contaminated blood transfusions from the 1970s to 1990s.
The UK government, under Rishi Sunak, commissioned Sir Robert Francis, the chair of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, to consult with victims and their families on the compensation scheme. The proposed scheme has undergone over 70 changes, including additional payments for those infected due to “unethical research” and victims of the Lord Mayor Treloar College trials.
Regulations for the new compensation scheme are expected by August 24, enabling survivors to receive payments before the year-end. For deceased victims, payments will be made to their estates. Additional regulations covering families and other affected individuals will follow in the coming months. The government confirmed ongoing support payments for victims for life, alongside any compensation entitlement.
The total compensation will cover various aspects of damage from the scandal, including loss of earnings and care needs. Approximately 3,000 potential recipients have already registered with the IBCA. Campaigners have welcomed the continuation of support payments for life but raised concerns about compensation levels for those impacted by hepatitis C after 1991 and hepatitis B.
The government is urged to engage transparently with the infected blood community for a fair compensation process. The government sources did not provide an estimate of the overall compensation cost, but efforts are focused on delivering compensation quickly and ensuring cultural changes to prevent such tragedies in the future.
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