Latest news with #infectedblood
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."
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.
The Independent
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
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. Groups representing people infected and affected by the scandal and people infected themselves are giving evidence on Wednesday morning. 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. '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.' 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.' 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. '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. 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.' 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. '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'.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Infected Blood Inquiry: Victim wants 'justice for everyone"
Infected blood victim wants 'justice for everyone' 9 minutes ago Share Save Bernie Allen & Faye Kidd BBC News NI Share Save BBC Nigel Hamilton is the Chair of Haemophilia Northern Ireland and has already received his compensation The chair of Haemophilia Northern Ireland has said that he "wants justice for everyone" affected by the infected blood scandal in Northern Ireland. Nigel Hamilton is giving evidence to the Infected Blood Inquiry amid concerns around the compensation process for victims. Mr Hamilton contracted hepatitis C after receiving contaminated blood products during an operation in the 1970s. His twin brother Simon, who died on Christmas Day in 2023, also contracted Hepatitis C after being given contaminated transfusions. 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. In August 2022, the government announced that 4,000 UK victims would receive interim payments of £100,000, including about 100 in Northern Ireland. But campaigners and victims have since contacted the inquiry with concerns about the way compensation is being implemented, and how long the process is taking. Mr Hamilton has received his compensation but wants to remain involved in the process to ensure that everyone gets justice. 'It's not over for me' Nigel Hamilton with his late brother Simon, who were both infected after receiving contaminated blood products Nigel Hamilton said he received contaminated blood during an operation in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast in the 1970s. "People need the justice that they are entitled to. We have faced a long time in getting justice," he said. The "reluctance" for the process to "move forward at pace" is "frustrating", he said. "Justice is justice. It must be delivered – and it must be delivered now." "The longer this goes on the more pain, angst, anxiety - and financial, mental, and emotional trauma - exists." Mr Hamilton's compensation process took about five weeks and he said it was not straightforward, so he wants to ensure it progresses for others. "My objective for staying in this process, rather than taking my money and running, is that I want to see justice for all other victims." "I'm now in a situation where I am through this process – but it's not over for me – I want justice for everyone," Mr Hamilton said. 'People in the dark' Nigel Hamilton told BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme that the need to deliver compensation payments is "paramount". "We've already lost a number of people. I've lost a twin brother, two cousins, several friends, one more recently, in the last few months and this is an injustice to them." "It does not provide for them the opportunity to see closure and they have lost out in this process which has just simply taken far too long," he added. Getty Images Nigel Hamilton says there is a lack of transparency about the claims process for victims
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Infected blood scandal: Farnham man criticises compensation speed
'We fear we will die before infected blood justice' 9 minutes ago Share Save Julia Gregory BBC News, Farnham Patrick Barlow and Craig Buchan BBC News, South East Share Save Julia Gregory / BBC Steve Nicholls says he fears he will die before seeing justice after being injected with infected blood in the 1970s and 1980s. A Surrey man who was injected with infected blood at a boarding school says he worries he will die before seeing justice. Steve Nicholls, 58, who lives near Farnham, became infected with hepatitis C and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) after unknowingly taking part in medical trials at Treloar's School in Alton, Hampshire, in the 1970s and 1980s. Further hearings of the Infected Blood Inquiry, beginning on Wednesday, will focus on the government's response to compensation for those affected by the scandal, with Mr Nicholls adding there had been "very little progress" on the scheme. A government spokesperson said infected blood victims had suffered "unspeakably" and that it remains committed to cooperating with the inquiry. Mr Nicholls, a retired service engineer, went to Treloar's School while being treated for haemophilia alongside about 120 children who were also infected. About 80 of those infected have died, with Mr Nicholls saying he is representing them and their families. He added: "We knew that this was a tragedy that was no accident and we would fight to get the truth told. Whoever was left would fight and fight and fight." Mr Nicholls said: "We all feel very, very scared that we are going to die before we see justice or any compensation." Students at the school were unknowingly included in secret trials of blood products imported from America, some of which were infected with HIV and hepatitis. Mr Nicholls said that, following the publishing of Sir Brian Langstaff's report into the scandal in May 2024, victims felt "recognised and validated" but there had been little progress in paying out compensation since. A government spokesperson says it has paid £80 million in compensation out of a total £11.8 billion earmarked for compensation having given itself until the end of 2029 to make payments. More than 30,000 people contracted HIV and hepatitis from contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 80s – and 3,000 people have since died. PA Media Infected blood campaigners called for recognition of victims of the scandal The government spokesperson added: "The victims of this scandal have suffered unspeakably. "We remain fully committed to cooperating with the Inquiry, are acting on its recommendations, and are grateful for its work to date." A spokesperson for Treloar's School says it "sincerely apologises to our former students and their families who were so devastatingly infected and affected by the infected blood scandal". They added: "The inquiry's report lays bare the full extent of this horrifying national scandal. We are deeply saddened that some of our former pupils were so tragically infected and their families affected and we expect the government to implement its compensation plans without further delay." The school has also backed plans for a public memorial to former pupils who died as a result of the infected blood scandal. Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
