Campaigners are seething as victims of Britain’s infected blood scandal die at a rate of two a week while waiting for compensation, saying payouts agreed by the government are taking too long to reach those affected by the biggest scandal in the history of the NHS.
More than 30 000 patients were infected with HIV and hepatitis after being given contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s, resulting in more than 3 000 deaths.
Daily Mail reports that in May last year, a public inquiry found the authorities had covered up the scale of the scandal.
In total, £11.8bn was set aside by the government to compensate victims and others affected, such as parents, children and siblings.
But the payouts are taking so long to process that many fear they could be dead before they see a penny, including Tony Summers (89).
His son Paul died at 44 after contracting HIV and hepatitis C from blood products used to treat his haemophilia.
Summers Snr, who was told he may not receive compensation until 2029, said: “I’ll be 93 – you begin to have doubts.
“People are still dying from illnesses. Parents are dying. It feels as though there’s a policy (of) ‘If we hang on long enough, we won’t have to pay’.”
Lynne Kelly, chairman of Haemophilia Wales, said people wanted closure after campaigning for more than four decades.
“People are dying two a week at the moment, so we’re in a difficult position. Bit by bit, fewer people will be eligible for compensation and less money will be paid.”
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Swifter justice urged in NHS infected blood scandal
UK’s NHS could cough up billions in infected blood scandal payments
Contaminated blood victims given permission to sue UK government
Calls for Big Pharma to ‘help pay’ UK tainted blood compensation