Almost 4,000 victims of tainted blood scandal are set for £100,000 payout… but campaigners say most of those affected are being ignored
- Survivors of biggest treatment disaster in NHS history will get £100,000 each
- Nearly 4,000 set to receive the cash after they or family members were infected
- Scandal caused estimated 2,400 deaths through infection of HIV or hepatitis C
- Families and campaigners say the settlement is not enough, asking for apology
Thousands of victims of the contaminated blood scandal are to receive £100,000 each in compensation, in a victory for the Daily Mail’s 32-year campaign.
Survivors of the biggest treatment disaster in NHS history and partners of those who have died will be given the interim payment by the end of October, the Government pledged yesterday.
Thousands of victims of the contaminated blood scandal are to receive £100,000 each in compensation, in a victory for the Daily Mail’s 32-year campaign. Pictured, Lauren Palmer, whose parents both died as victims of the infected blood scandal
Nearly 4,000 are set to receive the cash, but campaigners said most of those affected, such as bereaved parents and the children of victims, have so far been ignored.
The scandal caused an estimated 2,400 deaths of people infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products imported from the US in the 1970s and 1980s.
From 1990, the Daily Mail has highlighted the plight of haemophiliacs infected by tainted blood and has long campaigned for them to receive compensation. The announcement follows recommendations from a public inquiry into the scandal led by Sir Brian Langstaff, who last month ruled that victims should get minimum payouts of £100,000. The same payments will be made in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: ‘While nothing can make up for the pain and suffering endured by those affected by this tragic injustice, we are taking action to do right by victims and those who have tragically lost their partners by making sure they receive these interim payments as quickly as possible. We will continue to stand by all those impacted by this horrific tragedy.’
But families and campaigners have said the settlement is not enough and have reiterated calls for an apology.
Lauren Palmer, 38, from Bristol, who lost both her parents when she was just nine years old, said: ‘It ignores many of the victims such as myself – children who have lost parents and elderly parents who have lost children.
‘It’s bittersweet because it’s great news for some of the people within our community, but it doesn’t help many victims. It’s not enough.’
Final recommendations on compensation for a wider group of people – such as bereaved parents and the children of victims – are expected when the public inquiry concludes next year.
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