Higher compensation for some affected by infected blood scandal

Some of those affected by the contaminated blood scandal are to receive higher compensation, the UK government has announced.

Victims and bereaved partners in Scotland will see in an increase in annual payments, and a £10,000 lump sum bereavement payment will be given to the families of those who have died since the initial compensation scheme began.

Penny Mordaunt MP announced changes yesterday to resolve disparities between the scheme across the four nations. Increases in annual payments will be backdated to 2019.

The contaminated blood scandal saw as many as 30,000 people across the UK and 3,000 in Scotland infected with HIV and hepatitis in the 1970s and 80s after being given contaminated blood imported from the US.

Many patients were haemophiliacs, along with others who received blood transfusions.

Around 2,400 people died in what is recognised as one of the worst treatment scandals in the history of the NHS.

Campaigners have welcomed the payment increases, but some called for support to be extended to parents or children of those who have died.

“This uplift today will help a lot of people in Scotland who have lost loved ones or lived with the consequences of being infected with potentially deadly viruses for literally decade,” said Joyce Donnelly, Convenor of the Scottish Infected Blood Forum.

"More work remains to be done but this is another step in the right direction.”

Jason Evans, founder of campaign group Factor 8, said the exclusion of some family members had caused “distress”.

"Parents whose children died before getting married and those who have lost one or both parents remain entirely excluded from any ongoing support whatsoever. We have heard from many already thoroughly distressed members that their upset has been compounded,” he said.

“The government has now created a situation where some bereaved families will receive annual support, while others receive nothing. We hope that the government will urgently address that disparity.”

An inquiry into the scandal is ongoing, and virtual hearings continued on Thursday.