It’s too late for some, for those trusting patients who died after being infected by contaminated haemophilia blood products from the NHS during blood transfusions in the 1970s and 80s.
But at least some justice is finally being seen to be done. Even if victims and their families have had to wait decades – and 2,000 have tragically died waiting for this moment out of 4,670 people who were infected
from contaminated blood.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has just announced that payments ranging from £13,000 for those who became infected with the most serious Hepatitis C-related diseases, like cirrhosis or liver cancer, and HIV, and £50,000 for people who suffer even more. Money for counselling will also be available and, crucially the families of those who have died can make a posthumous claim for compensation. Campaigners have battled for years to get a better deal for those caught up in this terrible scandal which all governments have ignored in the past, and has been described as “one of the worst treatment errors in NHS history” by Lord Winston.
I have written about tainted blood campaigners and supported them on my blog after bumping into some of their them in Westminster; I became curious as I watched them approach Eric Pickles and ask for his support. When they later told me their story, I couldn’t believe the injustice they had suffered all these years in waiting for a review such as this.
What price can compensate for what the Health Secretary describes as “one of the great tragedies in modern healthcare”.
It is blood money that comes at a very heavy price.
It’s shocking that the compensation has taken so long
WW, Yes, I agree. On reflection, the payments are very small for the suffering which has been inflicted as a result of this major health disaster.
Shocking, indeed!
There has been NO compensation paid out to Hepatitis C. infected haemophiliacs as yet & with infected haemophiliacs dying on average of 1 PER MONTH this government will still drag its feet & many more victims will die before any payment is made.
Yes, too little, too late.
I was one of those whom you met in the Lobby of the House all those months ago that first alerted you to this disaster. First, I’d like to thank you for continuing to follow this campaign. Secondly I too would like to say that it is not a settlement and it is not what this government promised. The first ever back bench debate was a motion to implement the findings of the Lord Archer enquiry regarding this matter. For about three hours members spoke with passion in favour of the motion with only a very few nay sayers. In an unprecedented move the government issued a three line whip against the motion. Anne Milton stated that they had done this because “before Christmas” the government would issue a fairer and better alternative that would address the needs of the vast majority. Needless to say the motion was overwhelmingly defeated and the government after Christmas came up with the travesty that is before us which barely addresses the needs of the smallest minority..
Dear Owen, I’m sorry that justice has not been done for so many innocent people. Is there anything else you can do?