Latest news with #infectedbloodscandal
The Independent
17 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Psychological support system opens to infected blood victims
Thousands of people impacted by the infected blood scandal in England will be able to self refer to a bespoke psychological support NHS service, officials have announced. The nationwide service began a phased rollout in September, and is now open to people infected and affected across the country. The Infected Blood Psychological Service will include talking therapies; peer support and psychosocial support, NHS England 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. And more than 3,000 people have died as a result, while survivors are living with lifelong health implications. The new service is open to victims of the scandal as well as bereaved partners, parents, children and their extended families. People can self refer by phone or can be referred to the service by their GP. Officials said that a specialist therapist will help create tailored mental health plans for those in need of support. Claire Murdoch, national mental health director at NHS England, said: 'The contaminated blood scandal and the subsequent long fight for answers have had life-altering physical and psychological impacts for thousands across the country and the NHS is determined to ensure that anyone infected or affected can receive evidence-based support and treatment. 'It has been so important that the Infected Blood Psychological Service has been co-designed with members of the infected blood community to ensure the best and most personalised care possible, and we are very grateful to all our partners who have helped establish these vital new services.' Nicola Leahey, from Lancashire, was infected with Hepatitis C following blood transfusions in 1975 and/or 1980, and was part of the expert advisory group to the new service. 'After my diagnosis, I felt that my body had been violated, that I had been physically and mentally abused, stripped of my dignity, my self-esteem diminished, I mourned lost opportunities, I felt betrayed,' she said. 'So many of us have long awaited the opportunity to have professional support to try to cope with the trauma and life-long effects that we've been subjected to. 'I'm thrilled that this much-needed service is now operational for both those infected and affected members of the infected blood community across England.' Professor Meghana Pandit, co-national medical director for secondary care at NHS England, added: 'Following the recommendations of the Inquiry, this new service represents a vital step in ensuring patients and families affected in England can be offered tailored psychological treatment and support, and we are pleased that specialist clinics are now open in all areas of England. 'This bespoke psychological treatment is already making a difference to the lives of the first people to access it, and we now want to ensure everyone eligible is aware of the services provided.'
The Independent
21-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Infected blood compensation hold-up ‘not about saving money', insists minister
Delays in compensation payouts to victims of the infected blood scandal are not deliberate in order to save money, a minister has insisted. Labour frontbencher Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent said such a step would be 'the most heinous of approaches' and was 'simply not true'. She made her comments after hearing the concerns of campaigners, frustrated at the ongoing hold-up to payments in the face of people dying. The Infected Blood Inquiry, which published its seminal report a year ago, concluded the scandal 'could largely have been avoided' and there was a 'pervasive' cover-up to hide the truth. 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. A compensation scheme was announced the day after the report was published. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) has said, as of May 6, 106 compensation payments have been made, totalling more than £96 million. But concerns have been raised about the scheme, leading to the inquiry holding special hearings to highlight the impact on victims. Liberal Democrat Baroness Featherstone's nephew died aged 35 after being infected with hepatitis C, leaving at the time a 10-month-old daughter. She highlighted deep concerns felt by the infected blood community, including the perception that the delays in paying compensation 'are deliberate'. With an estimated two victims a week dying, Lady Featherstone added: 'There's a feeling that the Government might be saving money. 'I don't actually think that is the case, but the delays allow such theories to develop.' Responding, Lady Anderson said: 'I want to be very clear and put on record that none of the delays is about saving money. 'That would be the most heinous of approaches and while I understand that is being said by members of the community it is simply not true.' On the setting up of the independent compensation process, she said: 'We thought that the worst thing we could do would be to promise more and not be able to deliver. 'We are trying to ensure that we can deliver at a level and that the people who are entitled to money are actually getting it, and that we are learning from where we get it wrong and fixing it.' On the operation of the system she told peers: 'There is still some way to go in terms of IBCA's communications, I think it is fair to say. 'They are getting better but there is still some way to go.' Lady Anderson also said the Government will 'stand ready to assist in speeding up payments'. Independent crossbencher Baroness Campbell of Surbiton, whose husband died aged 33 in 1993 after contracting HIV from a blood transfusion, expressed the 'deep frustration and disappointment' felt by those affected at the lack of progress on compensation. She said: 'Does the minister agree that the chronic delays in processing claims are lamentable? 'Only 160 or so of the 30,000 known to be affected received payment in the last year, and people are dying at the rate of one or two a week.' She added: 'Does the minister accept that the bureaucratic nature of the scheme exacerbates the distress of the community as they relive their trauma?' Lady Anderson said: 'Politics failed the infected blood community and we need to make sure that that does not happen again, both for this community and any other community that is facing issues where the state has let them down. 'I truly believe that politics is a force for good in society. 'We need to make sure that it is.'
Sky News
20-05-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Politics latest: Keir Starmer says sorry for being 'overly rude' at PMQs
Victims of infected blood scandal call for 'suffering not to be dragged out further' Victims of the infected blood scandal have said they "are still waiting for justice" on the first anniversary of a seminal report into the disaster. They have challenged the PM to give assurances that victims' "suffering will not be dragged out further". What was the infected blood scandal? 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 around one in ten - more than 3,000 people - have died as a result, while survivors are living with lifelong health implications. The Infected Blood Inquiry concluded the scandal 'could largely have been avoided' and there was a 'pervasive' cover-up to hide the truth. A compensation scheme was announced the day after the report, which was published last year. In a letter hand-delivered to Number 10 this morning, the campaigners said: "The physical and emotional burden of this continual fight for fair compensation is falling with ever greater weight on the shoulders of those who have already had to campaign for too long. "We look to the government now for recognition of the anxiety and stress the last 12 months of uncertainty have caused and for an assurance that this suffering will not be dragged out further." The letter has been co-signed by officials from the Haemophilia Society, Tainted Blood, Haemophilia Wales, Haemophilia Northern Ireland and Tainted Blood – Affected Siblings And Children. According to the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, 106 compensation payments totalling more than £96m have been made as of 6 May. The letter adds: "The victims we work with – everyone with HIV – should not be burdened with further bureaucratic hurdles – such as having to prove diagnoses like 'full-blown AIDS' – nearly two decades of HIV without treatment should speak for itself. "Their claims are among the most straightforward and should be prioritised accordingly." Nick Thomas-Symonds, the cabinet office minister, said: "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."
The Independent
20-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
‘We are still waiting for justice': Infected blood victims call on PM to act
The Prime Minister has been challenged to give assurances to victims of the infected blood scandal that their 'suffering will not be dragged out further' amid ongoing concerns around the compensation scheme. In a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, campaigners have highlighted the 'physical and emotional burden' of the 'continual fight for fair compensation'. Campaigners handed their letter in to 10 Downing Street on the anniversary of the seminal report into the scandal. The Infected Blood Inquiry concluded that the scandal 'could largely have been avoided' and there was a 'pervasive' cover-up to hide the truth. 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. A compensation scheme was announced the day after the report was published. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority has said, as of May 6, 106 compensation payments have been made, totalling more than £96 million. But concerns have been raised about the scheme, leading to the inquiry holding special hearings to highlight the impact on victims. The new letter states: 'The physical and emotional burden of this continual fight for fair compensation is falling with ever greater weight on the shoulders of those who have already had to campaign for too long.' 'We look to the Government now for recognition of the anxiety and stress the last 12 months of uncertainty have caused and for an assurance that this suffering will not be dragged out further,' adds the letter, which has been co-signed by officials from the Haemophilia Society; Tainted Blood; Haemophilia Wales; Haemophilia Northern Ireland and Tainted Blood – Affected Siblings And Children. Kate Burt, chief executive of the Haemophilia Society, said: 'A year ago, the Infected Blood Inquiry published its devastating report into the multiple failings that led to the contaminated blood scandal. 'The inquiry gave us the truth but we're still waiting for justice. 'Until everyone impacted by this scandal receives fair compensation, there can be no justice. 'Nor can justice be achieved without learning the lessons set out so compellingly in the Infected Blood Inquiry's report. 'The steps taken towards implementing the inquiry's recommendations are welcome but there is a long road ahead. 'We urge the Government to make this a priority for the safety and protection of everyone who uses the NHS today and in the future.' Speaking from Downing Street, Conan McIlwrath, chairman of the charity, added: 'It is a year on since Brian Langstaff delivered his damning report and it is very unfortunate that we are still here and still on the campaign trail. 'By delivering this letter we hope it will put it back into the mind's eye of the Prime Minister and he can engage with his Cabinet to get some action and move this forward.' It comes as the Terrance Higgins Trust wrote to inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff highlighting concerns over the compensation scheme. 'We are witnessing a marked increase in both the frequency and intensity of distress among those we support,' the letter from charity chief executive Richard Angell states. The letter adds: 'The victims we work with – everyone with HIV – should not be burdened with further bureaucratic hurdles – such as having to prove diagnoses like 'full-blown AIDS' – nearly two decades of HIV without treatment should speak for itself. 'Their claims are among the most straightforward and should be prioritised accordingly.' The Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Nick Thomas-Symonds, said: '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.'
The Independent
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
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'. 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. Mr 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 £11.8 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.
