'We're being punished again' - Infected blood scandal victim speaks out ahead of new report

A survivor of what has been dubbed the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS feels the current compensation scheme isn't good enough.

The Infected Blood Inquiry is publishing an additional report today regarding compensation.

More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with Hepatitis C and HIV in the 1970s and 1980s after receiving contaminated blood products, with more than 3,000 people losing their lives.

Earlier this year, it was announced two further hearings would be held amid concerns about the Government's response to compensation.

Inquiry Chair Sir Brian Longstaff, admitted how "people infected and affected do not have time on their side."

Bruce Norval, who has campaigned for decades on the matter after contaminated blood products left him with Hepatitis C, feels compensation schemes are either "unnecessarily complex or unnecessarily punitive."

"Every waking hour is pain"

Mr Norval, from the Black Isle, criticised what he called a "partial" compensation system.

He said: "There is a whole load of bits within the schemes as they stand just now that are unnecessarily complex in relation to proofs or unnecessarily punitive in relation to the addition of discounts on the assumption that somebody was well and capable at various points of their life.

"This process needs to end and it needs to stop being about money because it was always about money, research and exploitation.

"To hold onto that money now, to try and minimise the impact on victims and their families is just further exploitation which needs to end.

"It's hard not to be angry that we cannot have our final settlement instead of this partial system that's been instituted.

"Why do we have to go back again? Why is it so bitty? Why is it all over the place?

"It just feels like we're being punished again."

The 60-year-old also explained how he's now living with multiple issues, including fractures in his spinal vertebrae, and wonders whether he'll live to see full compensation.

He added: "Every waking hour is pain, struggling to function physically is a daily task.

"My wife is very ill and is probably into the last 10 years of her life through the form of cancer.

"Both my kids have suffered significantly. I don't think my family are unique, i think my family's case is all too common within this scandal."

A UK Government spokesperson said: "This additional report reflects the unprecedented nature of the Infected Blood Scandal and the thoroughness of the Inquiry’s investigation.

"We are grateful to the Inquiry for its ongoing work.

"We will now consider all of its recommendations.

"Over £300 million has been paid to victims since the compensation scheme opened last October and we are taking action to enable a quicker compensation process."