VICTIMS of the infected blood scandal can receive lifelong financial support — with payouts beginning by the end of the year. And those subjected to unethical research will get up to £15,000 extra. 2 Victims of the infected blood scandal can receive lifelong financial support Credit: Dan Charity 2 Paymaster General Nick Thomas-Symonds has pledged to deliver compensation to infected blood scandal victims quickly and ensure this never happens again Credit: Alamy The pledges were yesterday included in a Cabinet Office framework for a multibillion-pound compensation scheme.
More than 30,000 NHS patients were infected with hepatitis C and HIV between the 1970s and early 1990s through transfusions or blood products. A report acknowledged the scandal “could largely have been avoided” and was then covered up for years. The Government has now confirmed support payments, including for bereaved partners, will continue for life.
READ MORE HEALTH NEWS UNSAFE COVER Woman, 71, died after 'neglect during three-day junior doctors' strike' Those used in unethical research at a Hampshire school will get an additional £10,000, while children treated at Lord Mayor Treloar College, where tainted blood was used in a shocking case of medical misconduct, will receive £15,000. Paymaster General Nick Thomas-Symonds called this an “important milestone” for victims, pledging to deliver compensation quickly and ensure this never happens again. He said: "We know no amount of compensation can fully address the damage to people who suffered as a result of this scandal.
This is why alongside the compensation, we must drive forward the wider cultural changes to make sure nothing like this ever happens again." Full costings for the scheme will be revealed in the Budget. Most read in Health ROBBED OF LIFE Mum died of heart attack after 'hospital sent her home with paracetamol' WORK OUT How stress damages your body as study finds 97% higher risk of heart condition VIRAL THREAT First case of new mpox strain hits Europe after WHO declares global emergency ARMS UP Millions to be offered life-saving new jab free on the NHS - are you eligible? Jason Evans, the director of Factor 8, a campaign group for victims, said: “Compensation for those impacted by the infected blood scandal has taken far too long and too many have died waiting.
"Today, the picture of what compensation might look like has become clearer, and now it must be delivered.” Infected blood scandal campaigners say fight 'not over yet'.
