Latest news with #BrianLangstaff
STV News
07-05-2025
- Health
- STV News
Infected blood victims 'will die before they get compensation'
Some victims of the infected blood scandal will die before they receive compensation and the current number of people who have received a payout is 'unsatisfactory', the government has admitted. People affected by the scandal, dubbed the 'biggest disaster in the history of the NHS', said they 'don't have time on our side' as they urged officials to speed up compensation payments. Sir Brian Langstaff, chairman of the Infected Blood Inquiry, is holding two days of special hearings to examine the 'timeliness and adequacy of the Government's response to compensation'. Opening the hearing, Sir Brian said: 'It is no secret that the inquiry has received letter after letter, email after email, call after call, expressing worries and concerns about how compensation is being delivered. 'The inquiry will do everything in its power to identify action that can be taken by the Government and by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to improve the delivery of compensation and to ensure that justice is done.' Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas–Symonds began his evidence by apologising to victims. 'I know many people before me will have suffered unimaginably because of this scandal, I would like to acknowledge that the government has failed you over decades on behalf of the state. I am sorry,' he said. Pointing out that it could be years before some people will receive compensation, inquiry counsel Jenni Richards KC asked Thomas–Symonds whether both infected and affected people will die before they receive compensation. 'Yes,' he replied. The minister, who was heckled as he gave evidence, told the hearing that he is 'restless for further progress on payments'. Ms Richards read out the latest compensation figures from the IBCA, which show that just over 100 people have received a payment, saying: 'That's a profoundly unsatisfactory state of affairs, isn't it?' Thomas–Symonds replied: 'It absolutely is, and I'm never going to think this is satisfactory until everybody has received the compensation they are due.' He said that he is pressing the IBCA on how the process can 'speed up', including asking whether more risks can be taken to ensure prompt payments. Thomas-Symonds was also challenged on whether infections which occurred before January 1 1982 will 'fall outside the liability window'. The minister told the inquiry he would 'go away and look at that situation'. He also said he would consider a 'supplemental route' for affected people including children, parents and siblings. Campaigners representing people infected and affected by the scandal gave emotional evidence on Wednesday morning. Andrew Evans, from the campaign group Tainted Blood, shared a quote from one of the members of the group, who said: 'I'm utterly exhausted. The anguish is beyond words. I just want this over.' Mr Evans, who was infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products during treatment for haemophilia as a child, said that victims have been left feeling 'betrayed and disappointed', adding: 'People have given up on any expectation of receiving anything. 'They have lost all hope of ever getting justice.' Gary Webster, who was infected with HIV and hepatitis C when he attend Lord Mayor's Treloar School in Hampshire (Treloar's) in the 1970s and 80s, said his experience with the compensation scheme had been a 'nightmare'. The 60-year-old said: 'People will not get their compensation and a lot of claims will die with them. 'It's just too slow and people won't get the justice they deserve.' Campaigner Carolyn Challis was infected with hepatitis C when she received blood transfusions during chemotherapy treatment for lymphatic cancer between 1992 and 1993. The mother-of-three from North Devon said that the compensation scheme is 'not fit for purpose'. 'We don't have time on our side or the energy to keep fighting for justice,' she said. Bill Wright, from Haemophilia Scotland, told the inquiry that the scandal was the 'biggest disaster in NHS history'. Meanwhile, Alan Burgess, who was co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C while receiving treatment for haemophilia, said that the ICBA was 'playing games with our mental health'. He added: 'They're playing games with our mental health and our physical health – they've got to be made to realise what they're doing. 'It's like trying to nail custard to the wall, you can talk to them but they don't seem to listen.' He also told the hearing victims were dying while the process was ongoing, with one of his friends dying just weeks ago. Nigel Hamilton, chairman of Haemophilia Northern Ireland, said: 'We are entitled to justice and we will have justice.' In a message to the IBCA, Mr Hamilton added: 'Work with us like never before and ensure that we are not just listened to, but we are also heard.' Mary Grindley, 76, who has been campaigning for 45 years, called on the compensation authority to set a timeline for 'payments to estates', adding: 'It's as though the people who have died have been totally forgotten.' The grandmother gave up teaching in 1991 to look after her husband, John, who contracted HIV and hepatitis C while receiving treatment for haemophilia and who died from Aids in 1994 at the age of 41. More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. Some 3,000 people died as a result and survivors are living with lifelong health implications. In her October budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves allocated £11.8bn to compensate victims, administered by the IBCA. The IBCA said that, as of May 6, 677 people have been asked to start their claim and 106 payments have been made, totalling more than £96m. Officials from the IBCA will give evidence on Thursday. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Infected blood victims will die before they get compensation, minister accepts
Infected blood victims will die before they get compensation, minister accepts Some victims of the infected blood scandal will die before they receive compensation and the current number of people who have received a payout is 'unsatisfactory', the Government has admitted. People affected by the scandal, dubbed the 'biggest disaster in the history of the NHS', said they 'don't have time on our side' as they urged officials to speed up compensation payments. Sir Brian Langstaff, chairman of the Infected Blood Inquiry, is holding two days of special hearings to examine the 'timeliness and adequacy of the Government's response to compensation'. The Infected Blood Inquiry will hold hearings in May. Follow this link to find out more: — Infected Blood Inquiry (@bloodinquiry) April 9, 2025 Opening the hearing, Sir Brian said: 'It is no secret that the inquiry has received letter after letter, email after email, call after call, expressing worries and concerns about how compensation is being delivered. 'The inquiry will do everything in its power to identify action that can be taken by the Government and by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to improve the delivery of compensation and to ensure that justice is done.' Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas–Symonds began his evidence by apologising to victims. 'I know many people before me will have suffered unimaginably because of this scandal, I would like to acknowledge that the government has failed you over decades on behalf of the state. I am sorry,' he said. Pointing out that it could be years before some people will receive compensation, inquiry counsel Jenni Richards KC asked Mr Thomas–Symonds whether both infected and affected people will die before they receive compensation. 'Yes,' he replied. The minister, who was heckled as he gave evidence, told the hearing that he is 'restless for further progress on payments'. Ms Richards read out the latest compensation figures from the IBCA, which show that just over 100 people have received a payment, saying: 'That's a profoundly unsatisfactory state of affairs, isn't it?' Mr Thomas–Symonds replied: 'It absolutely is, and I'm never going to think this is satisfactory until everybody has received the compensation they are due.' He said that he is pressing the IBCA on how the process can 'speed up', including asking whether more risks can be taken to ensure prompt payments. Campaigners representing people infected and affected by the scandal gave emotional evidence on Wednesday morning. Andrew Evans, from the campaign group Tainted Blood, shared a quote from one of the members of the group, who said: 'I'm utterly exhausted. The anguish is beyond words. I just want this over.' Mr Evans, who was infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products during treatment for haemophilia as a child, said that victims have been left feeling 'betrayed and disappointed', adding: 'People have given up on any expectation of receiving anything. 'They have lost all hope of ever getting justice.' Gary Webster was infected while at Lord Mayor's Treloar School and College in Hampshire (Ben Whitley/PA) Gary Webster, who was infected with HIV and hepatitis C when he attend Lord Mayor's Treloar School in Hampshire (Treloar's) in the 1970s and 80s, said his experience with the compensation scheme had been a 'nightmare'. The 60-year-old said: 'People will not get their compensation and a lot of claims will die with them. 'It's just too slow and people won't get the justice they deserve.' Campaigner Carolyn Challis was infected with hepatitis C when she received blood transfusions during chemotherapy treatment for lymphatic cancer between 1992 and 1993. The mother-of-three from North Devon said that the compensation scheme is 'not fit for purpose'. 'We don't have time on our side or the energy to keep fighting for justice,' she said. Bill Wright, from Haemophilia Scotland, told the inquiry that the scandal was the 'biggest disaster in NHS history'. The report into the infected blood scandal was published in May 2024 (Jeff Moore/PA) Meanwhile, Alan Burgess, who was co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C while receiving treatment for haemophilia, said that the ICBA was 'playing games with our mental health'. He added: 'They're playing games with our mental health and our physical health – they've got to be made to realise what they're doing. 'It's like trying to nail custard to the wall, you can talk to them but they don't seem to listen.' He also told the hearing victims were dying while the process was ongoing, with one of his friends dying just weeks ago. This week we're contacting everyone who's infected and registered with an existing support scheme to let them know we have their details for a claim and will be in touch when their claim can begin. We are also asking for anyone who is nearing the end of their life to contact us… — Infected Blood Compensation Authority (@IBCA_UK) April 14, 2025 Nigel Hamilton, chairman of Haemophilia Northern Ireland, said: 'We are entitled to justice and we will have justice.' In a message to the IBCA, Mr Hamilton added: 'Work with us like never before and ensure that we are not just listened to, but we are also heard.' Mary Grindley, 76, who has been campaigning for 45 years, called on the compensation authority to set a timeline for 'payments to estates', adding: 'It's as though the people who have died have been totally forgotten.' The grandmother gave up teaching in 1991 to look after her husband, John, who contracted HIV and hepatitis C while receiving treatment for haemophilia and who died from Aids in 1994 at the age of 41. More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. Some 3,000 people died as a result and survivors are living with lifelong health implications. In her October budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves allocated £11.8 billion to compensate victims, administered by the IBCA. The IBCA said that, as of May 6, 677 people have been asked to start their claim and 106 payments have been made, totalling more than £96 million. Officials from the IBCA will give evidence on Thursday.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
We will have justice – infected blood victims speak out as inquiry reopens
We will have justice – infected blood victims speak out as inquiry reopens People given infected blood and blood products in one of the worst treatment disasters in NHS history have said they will 'have justice' as hearings reopened into the scandal. Sir Brian Langstaff, chairman of the Infected Blood Inquiry, is holding two days of special hearings to examine the 'timeliness and adequacy of the Government's response to compensation'. Campaigners have voiced concerns surrounding the compensation scheme, which was announced last year, with some victims saying they fear they will not live to receive their payout. The Infected Blood Inquiry will hold hearings in May. Follow this link to find out more: — Infected Blood Inquiry (@bloodinquiry) April 9, 2025 Groups representing people infected and affected by the scandal and people infected themselves are giving evidence on Wednesday morning. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Andrew Evans, from the campaign group Tainted Blood and who was infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products during treatment for haemophilia as a child, said: 'We have around 2,100 members, all of whom are in a desperate state at the moment since the announcement of the Government's compensation package and things that have unfolded since.' Nigel Hamilton, chairman of Haemophilia Northern Ireland, said: 'I started off as a haemophiliac from birth. I had a liver transplant as a result of hepatitis C in 2018. 'I lost a twin brother Christmas day just over a year ago and I have several cousins I have also lost within the family. 'I believe in justice. I believe we have to be here today, thanks to the public inquiry and Sir Brian to ensure that we get the opportunity to repeat that we need justice. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement 'We are entitled to justice and we will have justice.' The report into the infected blood scandal was published in May 2024 (Jeff Moore/PA) Alan Burgess, a campaigner who was co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C while receiving treatment for haemophilia, said: 'I can't believe we are back here today.' When asked about the quality of engagement from the Cabinet Office and the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA), Mr Burgess said: 'I'd like to say that they engaged with us, but they didn't. 'They talked down to us. They were condescending. They had a scripted answer for everything we had. 'To be honest with you, it's almost a waste of time being there. You know, they weren't going to take any notice of what we said.' ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Mr Burgess said he told IBCA and the Cabinet Office that the mental states of the infected and affected were 'shocking' and it was 'disgraceful, immoral, scandalous, contemptible' for them to in discussions about compensation after 12 months. He also told the hearing victims were dying while the process was ongoing, with one of his friends dying just weeks ago. This week we're contacting everyone who's infected and registered with an existing support scheme to let them know we have their details for a claim and will be in touch when their claim can begin. We are also asking for anyone who is nearing the end of their life to contact us… — Infected Blood Compensation Authority (@IBCA_UK) April 14, 2025 'There's people dying without seeing this compensation paid. I didn't expect any sympathy, but we didn't even get any empathy,' Mr Burgess said. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. Some 3,000 people died as a result and survivors are living with lifelong health implications. Campaigner Carolyn Challis, known as Caz, was infected with hepatitis C when she received blood transfusions during chemotherapy treatment for lymphatic cancer between 1992 and 1993. The mother-of-three from North Devon said: 'We feel gaslit, marginalised and abused by successive governments that purport to care, but evidently do not. 'We're suffering from sustained trauma. We should not still be fighting.' ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has been called to give evidence on Wednesday afternoon while Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) officials will be quizzed by inquiry lawyers on Thursday. In her October budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves allocated £11.8 billion to compensate victims, administered by the IBCA. As of April 24, some 475 people have been invited to make a claim and 77 payments have been made totalling more than £78 million, according to IBCA figures. Opening the hearing, Sir Brian said: 'The decision to hold these further hearings was not taken lightly. 'It is no secret that the Inquiry has received letter after letter, email after email, call after call expressing worries and concerns about how compensation is being delivered. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement 'The slowness and uncertainty about when someone might expect to receive compensation are central kernels. They are not however the only ones. These matters need to be explored in public.' He added: 'The Inquiry will do everything in its power to identify action that can be taken by the Government and by the infected blood in compensation authority to improve the delivery of compensation and to ensure that justice is done. Sir Brian said that the number of those infected and affected who were in attendance at the hearings 'demonstrate that the complaints, worries, distress and frustrations that have been expressed to us are not just those of an outspoken few'.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
We will have justice – infected blood victims speak out as inquiry reopens
We will have justice – infected blood victims speak out as inquiry reopens People given infected blood and blood products in one of the worst treatment disasters in NHS history have said they will 'have justice' as hearings reopened into the scandal. Sir Brian Langstaff, chairman of the Infected Blood Inquiry, is holding two days of special hearings to exmaine the 'timeliness and adequacy of the Government's response to compensation'. Campaigners have voiced concerns surrounding the compensation scheme, which was announced last year, with some victims saying they fear they will not live to receive their payout. The Infected Blood Inquiry will hold hearings in May. Follow this link to find out more: — Infected Blood Inquiry (@bloodinquiry) April 9, 2025 Groups representing people infected and affected by the scandal and people infected themselves are giving evidence on Wednesday morning. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Andrew Evans, from the campaign group Tainted Blood and who was infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products during treatment for haemophilia as a child, said: 'We have around 2,100 members, all of whom are in a desperate state at the moment since the announcement of the Government's compensation package and things that have unfolded since.' Nigel Hamilton, chairman of Haemophilia Northern Ireland, said: 'I started off as a haemophiliac from birth. I had a liver transplant as a result of hepatitis C in 2018. 'I lost a twin brother Christmas day just over a year ago and I have several cousins I have also lost within the family. The report into the infected blood scandal was published in May 2024 (Jeff Moore/PA) 'I believe in justice. I believe we have to be here today, thanks to the public inquiry and Sir Brian to ensure that we get the opportunity to repeat that we need justice. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement 'We are entitled to justice and we will have justice.' Alan Burgess, a campaigner who was co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C while receiving treatment for haemophilia, said: 'I can't believe we are back here today.' More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. This week we're contacting everyone who's infected and registered with an existing support scheme to let them know we have their details for a claim and will be in touch when their claim can begin. We are also asking for anyone who is nearing the end of their life to contact us… — Infected Blood Compensation Authority (@IBCA_UK) April 14, 2025 Some 3,000 people died as a result and survivors are living with lifelong health implications. ADVERTISEMENT Advertisement Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has been called to give evidence on Wednesday afternoon while Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) officials will be quizzed by inquiry lawyers on Thursday. In her October budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves allocated £11.8 billion to compensate victims, administered by the IBCA. As of April 24, some 475 people have been invited to make a claim and 77 payments have been made totalling more than £78 million, according to IBCA figures.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
What is the infected blood scandal and how much compensation will victims get?
Government officials have been called to give evidence to a special session of the infected blood inquiry amid "grave concerns" about the speed of compensation payments. The inquiry's chair, Sir Brian Langstaff, made the unusual decision to take fresh evidence nearly a year after his final report into the scandal. More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. As many as 140,000 bereaved parents, children and siblings of victims may also be able to claim compensation in their own right. Who was given infected blood and how many died? Two main groups of NHS patients were affected by what has been called the biggest treatment disaster in the history of the NHS. Firstly, haemophiliacs - and those with similar disorders - who have a rare genetic condition which means their blood does not clot properly. People with haemophilia A have a shortage of a clotting agent called Factor VIII, while people with haemophilia B do not have enough Factor IX. In the 1970s, a new treatment using donated human blood plasma was developed to replace these clotting agents. But entire batches were contaminated with deadly viruses. After being given the infected treatments, about 1,250 people in the UK with bleeding disorders went on to develop both HIV and hepatitis C, including 380 children. About two-thirds later died of Aids-related illnesses. Some unintentionally gave HIV to their partners. Another 2,400 to 5,000 people developed hepatitis C on its own, which can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is difficult to know the exact number of people infected with hepatitis C, partly because it can take decades for symptoms to appear. A second group of patients were given contaminated blood transfusions after childbirth, surgery or other medical treatment between 1970 and 1991. The inquiry estimates that between 80 and 100 of these people were infected with HIV, and about 27,000 with hepatitis C. In total, it is thought about 2,900 people have died. What did the infected blood inquiry say? Announcing its findings in May 2024, the inquiry said victims had been failed "not once, but repeatedly", and that the risk of viral infections in blood products had been known since 1948. Inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff said there had been a lack of openness from the authorities and elements of "downright deception", including the destruction of documents. He said half-truths were also told, so people did not know about the risk of their treatment, the availability of alternatives, or even whether they were infected. "This disaster was not an accident," said Sir Brian. "The infections happened because those in authority - doctors, the blood services and successive governments - did not put patient safety first." The Inquiry report said: too little was done to stop importing blood products from abroad, which used blood from high-risk donors such as prisoners and drug addicts in the UK, blood donations were accepted from high-risk groups such as prisoners until 1986 blood products were not heat-treated to eliminate HIV until the end of 1985, although the risks were known in 1982 there was too little testing to reduce the risk of hepatitis, from the 1970s onwards How much compensation will infected blood victims get? In October 2024, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said that the government had set aside £11.8bn to pay compensation to victims. It set up an independent arms-length body called the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) to administer payments. Both those infected by contaminated blood products and those affected by the scandal - such as partners, parents, children and siblings - can claim compensation for the impact on their lives. Payments are exempt from tax, and do not affect benefits. The final amounts for individuals are assessed against five criteria: harm caused, social impact from stigma and isolation, impact on autonomy and private life, care costs and financial loss. Outlining the compensation scheme after the inquiry reported in May 2024, the then-Conservative government suggested how much people might receive: a person infected with HIV could expect to get compensation of between £2.2m and £2.6m those with a chronic hepatitis C infection, defined as lasting more than six months, could expect to receive between £665,000 and £810,000 the partner of someone infected with HIV who is still alive today could expect to receive about £110,000, while a child could get £55,000 Compensation payments will go to the estate of infected people who have died. But if a partner or relative who might be entitled to a payment has died, their estate will not receive any money. Have any compensation payments already been made? In late 2022, following advice from the inquiry, the Conservative government made interim payments of £100,000 each to about 4,000 surviving victims and bereaved partners. A second interim payment of £210,000 was paid to those infected in June 2024. In October 2024, the government said more relatives of those who died could also apply for £100,000 interim payments if the money had not already been claimed. The IBCA said, as of 6 May: 677 people have been invited to claim final compensation 160 compensation payments totalling £150.2m have been offered 106 compensation payments totalling £96.6m have been made An IBCA spokesman said its priority remained "paying as many people as soon as possible". It plans to ask an extra 100 individuals to start their claims every week from May 2025. It has also announced that it would start to prioritise payments to those who had less than 12 months left to live due to any medical condition. Victims and their relatives have criticised the time taken to make payments, and what they say is a lack of transparency about the claims process. On 9 April Sir Brian said he would re-open the inquiry on 7 and 8 May to take evidence about the speed of compensation payments. Government officials, including the cabinet office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, will give evidence under oath and the sessions will be filmed and streamed online. Sir Brian said: "The decision to hold hearings has not been taken lightly. It reflects the gravity of concerns expressed consistently and repeatedly to the inquiry. "People infected and affected do not have time on their side." How did the infected blood scandal happen? In the 1970s, the UK was struggling to meet the demand for blood-clotting treatments, so imported supplies from the US. But much of the blood was bought from high-risk donors such as prison inmates and drug-users. Factor VIII was made by pooling plasma from tens of thousands of donors. If just one was carrying a virus, the entire batch could be contaminated. UK blood donations were not routinely screened for hepatitis C until 1991, 18 months after the virus was first identified. When did authorities know about infected blood? By the mid-1970s, there were repeated warnings that imported US Factor VIII carried a greater risk of infection. However, attempts to make the UK more self-sufficient in blood products failed, so the NHS continued using foreign supplies. Campaigners say haemophiliacs could have been offered an alternative treatment called Cryoprecipitate. This was much harder to administer, but was made from the blood plasma of a single donor, lowering the infection risk. BBC News has also uncovered evidence children were infected with hepatitis C and HIV after being placed on clinical trials of new treatments - often, without their family's consent. As late as November 1983, the government insisted there was no "conclusive proof" that HIV could be transmitted in blood, a line robustly defended by former Conservative health minister Ken Clarke when he appeared before the inquiry. What happened in other countries affected by infected blood? Many other countries were affected, although some - including Finland - used older treatments until much later rather than switch to Factor VIII, which minimised HIV infections. Delivering the findings of the inquiry, Sir Brian criticised UK government claims in the 1990s that screening for hepatitis C began as soon as the technology was available. He said that 23 other countries - including Japan, Finland and Spain - introduced the screening before the UK. In the US, companies that supplied infected products have paid out millions in out-of-court settlements. Politicians and drug companies have been convicted of negligence in countries including France and Japan. In his evidence to the inquiry, former health secretary Andy Burnham suggested there may be grounds for charges of corporate manslaughter in the UK.
