Treatment of blood victims a ‘disgrace’
AN MP has called the Government’s continued failure to provide interim compensation to victims of the contaminated blood scandal “a disgrace”.
Ian Lavery, MP for Wansbeck, has slammed the Government’s lack of progress on the matter – especially as a report from independent QC Sir Robert Francis highlighted in June that there was a “strong moral case” for compensation, and that there was nothing to stop interim payments being made before the end of the ongoing Infected Blood Inquiry.
The contaminated blood scandal saw thousands infected with lethal viruses such as HIV and hepatitis C through NHS treatment – many for haemophilia. Thousands died and many more have suffered debilitating health problems over many years. The ongoing Infected Blood Inquiry has been investigating the circumstances which led to this and how successive governments have handled the fallout over decades.
Last week, speaking at the inquiry, former Health Secretary Andy Burnham repeated his claim that there had been a “criminal cover-up” over decades.
Mr Lavery, speaking in response to an urgent question tabled by Dame Diana Johnson in parliament drew attention to the human cost of delays.
He said: “The way the victims of the contaminated blood scandal are being treated by this Government is frankly a disgrace. Since the inquiry began back in 2017 still no compensation package has been agreed and paid out to those living with the consequences of horrific failures made elsewhere.
“On average two victims of the contaminated blood scandal die each week, and since the beginning of the inquiry over 400 have died. These people need to be taken seriously and deserve better than the Government’s bluster and rhetoric that they have had for years without any meaningful results.”
During the debate last Tuesday Mr Lavery – along with colleagues from across parties and including Richard Holden, Tory MP for North West Durham – questioned Cabinet Office minister Michael Ellis on progress towards paying interim compensation.
In answer to questioning, Mr Ellis said it was complex to consider Sir Robert’s 19 recommendations, but MPS said at this point it was just one of these that needed to be implemented.
In response, Mr Ellis said “officials across Whitehall” were working hard on the issue, but he wouldn’t say when any interim payments might be made.