Latest news with #SirBrianLangstaff
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Infected blood compensation needs to be faster, campaigners say
Compensation for infected blood victims needs to be delivered faster, campaigners have said on the first anniversary of a public inquiry report into what has been described as the worst treatment disaster in NHS history."We are dying at pace, the government needs to be working at pace, not just talking about it," one campaigner said on Tuesday as a letter calling for action was handed in to the prime Johnson, a minister who for years as a Labour MP supported victims of the scandal, said it was "disappointing" to hear how slow process had Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas Symonds said the government was "committed to delivering compensation as swiftly as possible". More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV or hepatitis C or both after being given contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. Around 3,000 people have his final report released one year ago, inquiry chair Sir Brian Langstaff said the scandal had been largely avoidable and involved systemic had expected rapid compensation, but so far only 100 people have received payouts. They gathered at Westminster on Tuesday to hand in a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, stating their concern at the lack of progress. "Twelve months on from the publication of the Infected Blood Inquiry's devastating report, there remains deep concern from the contaminated blood community that politics is continuing to fail them," the letter said."As the Infected Blood Inquiry heard when it reconvened hearings on 7 May 2025, the community's voice was absent when the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme was drawn up. The resulting scheme contains fundamental flaws, which could and would have been foreseen." Speaking exclusively to the BBC, Diana Johnson MP, who is now a Home Office Minister, told BBC News that she appreciated the concerns of campaigners and sympathised with their argument."It's disappointing to hear just how slow the process is though, and I fully appreciate the concerns that so many people who are gathered today are making about wanting to get those payments out to people," she said."We know on average someone dies every couple of weeks, so this has to be paid. But the money is there."When asked whether she could use her position as minister to make their case she said she was speaking to the BBC as a constituency Wrixton, who was infected with hepatitis C as the result of a blood transfusion, said: "It's been a year since the euphoria of the recommendations, and yet, as an infected person... the statistics that roughly two a week are dying, we've still not got payment."We are dying at pace, the government needs to be working at pace, not just talking about it. We need to see the actions."Cabinet Office minister Thomas–Symonds said: "The victims of this scandal have suffered unspeakably."After decades of delay, it has fallen to this government to act. We are acting on the inquiry's 12 recommendations, so that this never happens again, and to get justice for victims."While no amount of compensation will make up for the suffering people have endured, we are committed to delivering compensation as swiftly as possible."
Medscape
19-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
GPs to Ask New Patients About Pre-1996 Blood Transfusions
New patients registering with a GP in England will be asked from next month if they had a blood transfusion before 1996. The move is part of an NHS drive to find undiagnosed patients affected by the contaminated blood scandal. Only newly registering patients born on or before 31 December 1995 will be asked the question. The initiative follows a recommendation made by Sir Brian Langstaff in the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published in May 2024. Langstaff described the scandal as 'the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS'. He called for a compensation scheme and action for 'finding the undiagnosed'. He recommended that patients who report having had a transfusion before1996 should be offered a blood test for hepatitis C. Implementation and Reach NHS England has issued guidance to GPs on how to introduce the questions, record responses, and support patients who may be at risk. The new question will appear in the online GP registration service from 16 June 2025. Around 840,000 patients register online with a GP each year. Almost half of them—about 400,000—were born before 1996 with a UK country of birth, and may be eligible for the new question. The registration system will also prompt patients to consider reasons they may have received a transfusion, such as surgery, accidents, childbirth complications, or other treatments. Simple, but Vital Change Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, called the addition a 'simple change' and a vital step forward in identifying undiagnosed patients. Rachel Halford, CEO of the Hepatitis C Trust, said: 'A more proactive approach is critical to reaching and diagnosing those who remain unaware of their infection.' NHS England said in 2022 that the NHS was on track to eliminate hepatitis C by 2025 – 5 years ahead of the World Health Organisation's 2030 target. According to the Hepatitis C in England 2024 report, the number of cases has fallen by nearly 57% since 2015. In 2023, an estimated 55,900 adults aged 16 years and over were living with chronic hepatitis C. Mortality linked to the virus has also declined, with a rate of 0.41 per 100,000 population. Treatment and Testing Access Hepatitis C can be cured in more than 90% of cases using direct-acting antiviral treatments. Monica Desai, head of the hepatitis section at the UK Health Security Agency, said: "It's critical that those most at risk of hepatitis C continue to be tested so they can get access to life-saving treatments and clear the virus.' Testing is available at GP practices, sexual health clinics, and other NHS services. Patients can also order a free self-testing kit from
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
GPs told to find undiagnosed infected blood patients
MIDNIGHT EMBARGO SCHEDULE FOR 6.53AM GPs will be told to find undiagnosed patients with infected blood in a new NHS drive. Patients registering with a GP practice will be asked whether they had a blood transfusion before 1996 and offered the opportunity to test for hepatitis C. The move was a key recommendation of the independent review into the scandal led by Sir Brian Langstaff. GP surgeries are set to introduce the questions to online registration services from June 16 and only those born before 1996 will be asked. Around 400,000 people born before 1996 register to a new GP surgery each year and will be asked the questions and offered a test each year, the NHS said. More than 30,000 people were infected with HIV and hepatitis C from 1970 to 1991 by contaminated blood products and transfusions. About 3,000 of them have since died. It's thought up to 27,000 people were infected with hepatitis C, but it's thought more than a thousand people are living with the condition without knowing they have it. Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver and if left untreated can lead to serious and life-threatening damage over many years. Symptoms are often not noticeable until the liver has become significantly and sometimes irreversibly damaged, meaning a number of people lived for many years prior to finding out they had been infected. Once diagnosed it can be treated by taking antivirals for several weeks, which cure more than nine in 10 patients. GP will remind patients about reasons they may have had a blood transfusion on the NHS more than 30 years ago, which could include because of an accident, a complication during childbirth, surgery, or other medical treatment. Patients will then be able to order self-testing kits to complete at home, taking a finger-prick blood sample which is posted to a lab for analysis. Any patient that contracted hepatitis B or HIV will almost definitely have already been diagnosed and treated based on the symptoms of those infections and the time since it was contracted. Prof Sir Stephen Powis, NHS national medical director, said: 'The failures of the contaminated blood scandal have had a horrifying impact for patients and their families for decades, and I would like to reiterate our deepest apologies for the role the health service played in the suffering and loss for so many. 'The NHS is dedicated to implementing the inquiry's recommendations and this simple change to the GP registration process for patients is a vital step forward in ensuring that nobody affected by contaminated blood is living undiagnosed and unsupported,' he said. Rachel Halford, chief executive of the charity, Hepatitis C Trust, said it was an 'important step'. 'Every two weeks we hear from someone infected with hepatitis C through a transfusion who is only now finding out. All of these people have had hepatitis C for more than three decades; some are very ill,' she said. 'A more pro-active approach is critical to reaching and diagnosing those who remain unaware of their infection. Thanks to the brilliant advancements in treatment, hepatitis C can be quickly cured through a short course of tablets.' Ashley Dalton, the health minister said: 'The infected blood scandal is one of the gravest injustices this country has ever seen. The government has been clear nothing of this nature can ever happen again, and we must take tangible action. 'This initiative will see patients asked about their history and given access to the tests they need if they are at risk of Hepatitis C, in line with the recommendations of Sir Brian Langstaff.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
19-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
GPs told to find undiagnosed infected blood victims
GPs will be told to find undiagnosed patients with infected blood in a new NHS drive. Patients registering with a GP practice will be asked whether they had a blood transfusion before 1996 and offered the opportunity to test for hepatitis C. The move was a key recommendation of the independent review into the scandal led by Sir Brian Langstaff. GP surgeries are set to introduce the questions to online registration services from June 16 and only those born before 1996 will be asked. Around 400,000 people born before 1996 register to a new GP surgery each year and will be asked the questions and offered a test each year, the NHS said. More than 30,000 people were infected with HIV and hepatitis C from 1970 to 1991 by contaminated blood products and transfusions. About 3,000 of them have since died. It's thought up to 27,000 people were infected with hepatitis C, but it's thought more than a thousand people are living with the condition without knowing they have it. Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver. If left untreated, it can lead to serious and life-threatening damage over many years. Symptoms are often not noticeable until the liver has become significantly and sometimes irreversibly damaged, meaning a number of people did not find out they had been infected after many years. Once diagnosed it can be treated by taking antivirals for several weeks, which cure more than nine in 10 patients. GPs will remind patients of reasons they may have had a blood transfusion on the NHS more than 30 years ago, which could include because of an accident, a complication during childbirth, surgery or other medical treatment. Patients will then be able to order self-testing kits to complete at home, taking a finger-prick blood sample which is posted to a lab for analysis. Any patient that contracted hepatitis B or HIV will almost definitely have already been diagnosed and treated based on the symptoms of those infections and the time since it was contracted. Prof Sir Stephen Powis, NHS National Medical Director, said: 'The failures of the contaminated blood scandal have had a horrifying impact for patients and their families for decades, and I would like to reiterate our deepest apologies for the role the health service played in the suffering and loss for so many. 'The NHS is dedicated to implementing the inquiry's recommendations and this simple change to the GP registration process for patients is a vital step forward in ensuring that nobody affected by contaminated blood is living undiagnosed and unsupported,' he said. Rachel Halford, chief executive of the charity, Hepatitis C Trust, said it was an 'important step'. 'Every two weeks we hear from someone infected with hepatitis C through a transfusion who is only now finding out. All of these people have had hepatitis C for more than three decades; some are very ill,' she said. 'A more pro-active approach is critical to reaching and diagnosing those who remain unaware of their infection. Thanks to the brilliant advancements in treatment, hepatitis C can be quickly cured through a short course of tablets.' Ashley Dalton, the health minister said: 'The infected blood scandal is one of the gravest injustices this country has ever seen. The government has been clear nothing of this nature can ever happen again, and we must take tangible action. 'This initiative will see patients asked about their history and given access to the tests they need if they are at risk of Hepatitis C, in line with the recommendations of Sir Brian Langstaff.'
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
NHS launches hunt for patients unknowingly given infected blood
Health officials have launched a new scheme to help identify people who may have unknowingly been given infected blood. People aged 29 and over who newly register with GP practices in England will be asked if they had a blood transfusion prior to 1996, NHS England said. If they did have a transfusion before 1996 they will be offered a test for hepatitis C, which is known as a silent killer because people can be infected unknowingly for decades before symptoms start and significant damage has already been done. 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. And more than 3,000 people have died as a result while survivors are living with lifelong health implications. The Infected Blood Inquiry, which examined the scandal in depth, recommended that the health service should work to 'find the undiagnosed'. On May 20, last year, the inquiry found the scandal was 'not an accident' and was deliberately concealed. Sir Brian Langstaff, the chairman, described it as a 'calamity'. Rishi Sunak apologised to the victims and the government announced an £11.8 billion compensation scheme. However, so far only 77 claimants have received payouts totalling £78million, from the 140,000 who may be eligible. A 'framework document' slipped out by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority in March said 'the bulk' of those infected would be paid by 2027, while the majority of those affected, such as parents whose children died and children whose parents died, will have to wait until 2029. Nick Thomas Symonds, the cabinet office minister overseeing the compensation scheme, admitted this month that people would die without it. On Tuesday a letter co-ordinated by the Haemophilia Society will be delivered to Sir Keir Starmer urging him to address 'fundamental problems' with the compensation scheme, according to the Sunday Times, including increasing entitlement for those with hepatitis C and speeding up the payments. Hepatitis C is a virus that is passed on through blood-to-blood contact and infects the liver. Without treatment, it can cause serious damage to the liver. Around half of the 800,000 people who register with a GP each year were born after 1996, meaning some 400,000 will be asked about their blood transfusion history. NHS England said the new questions for patients will remind them of possible reasons they may have had a blood transfusion, including after an accident, complication during childbirth, surgery, or other medical treatment. If a person is diagnosed they can be given antiviral medication for several weeks, with this treatment curing more than nine out of 10 patients with hepatitis C. Professor Sir Stephen Powis, national medical director at NHS England, said: 'The failures of the contaminated blood scandal have had a horrifying impact for patients and their families for decades, and I would like to reiterate our deepest apologies for the role the health service played in the suffering and loss for so many. 'The NHS is dedicated to implementing the inquiry's recommendations and this simple change to the GP registration process for patients is a vital step forward in ensuring that nobody affected by contaminated blood is living undiagnosed and unsupported. 'By routinely checking their risk when anyone signs up to a new GP and offering fast Hep C tests where necessary, we will ensure any undiagnosed cases can be found and treated as quickly as possible, while enabling thousands more to receive the reassurance of a negative test.' Health Minister Ashley Dalton said: 'The Infected Blood Scandal is one of the gravest injustices this country has ever seen. 'The government has been clear nothing of this nature can ever happen again, and we must take tangible action. 'This initiative will see patients asked about their history and given access to the tests they need if they are at risk of Hepatitis C, in line with the recommendations of Sir Brian Langstaff.' Rachel Halford, chief executive of the Hepatitis C Trust, said: 'This is a very welcome and important step. 'Every two weeks we hear from someone infected with hepatitis C through a transfusion who is only now finding out. 'All of these people have had hepatitis C for more than three decades; some are very ill. 'A more pro-active approach is critical to reaching and diagnosing those who remain unaware of their infection.' The inquiry into the scandal is currently examining the 'timeliness and adequacy of the Government's response to compensation' for victims, with a report expected later this year.
