Blood inquiry set for ‘pivotal’ date after years of delay
Down in Westminster, things finally seem to be gaining traction in the Infected Blood Inquiry.
This was evidently the greatest scandal in the NHS’s history, leaving an estimated 30,000 people infected with life-changing diseases like HIV – which has killed over 3000 people, including children.
Several of my constituents were affected, including a Blairgowrie resident who, heartbreakingly, lost her life.
Progress in securing justice and compensation for victims and their families has been unconscionably slow.
Administration after administration in the UK Government has, for decades, kicked the can down the road, refusing to take responsibility due to the huge financial cost that entails.
The scandal occurred throughout the 1970s and‘80s, but it wasn’t until 2017 – more than 40 years later – that the government announced a public enquiry, chaired by Sir Brian Langstaff, the former High Court judge.
It is harrowing think of those who died during that period without receiving any form of compensation.
Then, in 2022, an interim report by the inquiry concluded that the government has a“moral obligation”to properly compensate those who were infected and affected by the scandal.
This resulted in the government setting up a body to issue initial compensation payments.
But those payments simply weren’t enough given the magnitude of the situation.
The pivotal moment will come when the public inquiry’s final report is published on May 20, after six years of gathering evidence.
Campaigners have fought tirelessly to reach this moment for decades.
They are not just seeking compensation for what happened in the first instance, but also for the way that the UK Government responded.
Their shameful attempts to shift blame and brush it under the rug undoubtedly prolonged their suffering unnecessarily.
We expect Sir Brian Langstaff’s report to demand significantly more compensation for victims to be issued as a matter of utmost urgency.
And if the government has even a slither of decency left, it will accept the findings in full.
We know that we are in the final days of this administration, but this simply can’t wait.
With each passing week that the compensation is delayed, more victims will die.
Rest assured that I and my SNP colleagues will be using our voices at every opportunity to ensure that this is dealt with the attention and urgency it necessitates.
People have fought tirelessly to achieve this for decades