'I will be fighting until there is no fight left to happen' - Worcestershire victim of infected blood scandal
The Infected Blood Inquiry report published a year ago today (20 May) estimated over 30,000 people were given contaminated blood between 1970 and 1990
A Worcestershire campaigner and victim of the infected blood scandal says he will not stop until all infected blood victims are compensated.
The Infected Blood Inquiry report was published a year ago today and estimated over 30,000 people were given contaminated blood between 1970 and 1990.
At the time the report was released, Chair of the Infect Blood Inquiry Sir Brian Langstaff said: “This disaster was not an accident” and the infections happened because “those in authority – doctors, the blood services and successive governments – did not put patient safety first.”
He added: “The government is right to accept that compensation must be paid. Now is the time for national recognition of this disaster and for proper compensation to all who have been wronged.”
"I will be fighting until there is no fight left to happen”
48-year-old Andy Evans from Worcestershire was diagnosed as a haemophiliac at 11-months-old, a condition that impairs the body's ability to clot blood properly, and exposed and infected with HIV and Hepatitis C at the age of five in 1983.
His parents told him he was HIV positive when he was 13, which then developed into full blown aids at the age of 16, before medication became available.
In 2006, he set-up the Tainted Blood group with his friend Gareth Lewis, who had also been infected.
The group called for a full public enquiry into the infected blood, an apology, a public apology, and compensation for those affected and their families.
Gareth passed away in 2010, but Andy has kept on with his work right up to the inquiry’s report release and since then.
Evans says he hasn't received compensation yet but is calling for the Government to make sure everyone receives the right amount of compensation for what has happened.
"I will be fighting until there is no fight left to happen,” he said.
"For me personally, I think the compensation will do it for me, I will feel that I have been properly compensated when it comes through.
“However, as part of the group I hear from people everyday who are absolutely frustrated and deflated, who feel even when their compensation is due to them, when they are invited, they won’t feel like justice has been done and I can’t let that go on their behalf."
Government response
The probe into the scandal re-opened earlier this month on the 7-8 May, examining how effective the Government's response has been when it comes to rolling out compensation to the tens of thousands of victims in this scandal.
So far the government say nearly £100 million in compensation has been paid to victims of the Infected Blood Scandal so far, alongside over £1.2 billion in interim payments.
It added it had accepted all twelve of the Inquiry’s recommendations, with some accepted in full, and others accepted in principle.
"Nearly £100 million in compensation so far"
In a press release on the 14th May, Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, said: "Today is an important milestone, nearly one year on from the publication of the Inquiry’s report.
"The victims of this scandal have suffered unspeakably. We remain fully committed to cooperating with the Inquiry, are acting on its twelve recommendations, and are grateful for its work to date.
"We have paid nearly £100 million in compensation so far, and have set aside £11.8 billion to deliver what is one of the most comprehensive compensation schemes in modern history.”
Andy Evans is concerned though the compensation might not cover all of people's needs entirely.
“I feel we’ve been left with a compensation scheme which is not fit for purpose for some," he said.
“The tariffs are extremely low for people with Hepatitis C because only liver based effects are taking into account, not all of the other extra bits that happen when you are infected for so long with Hepatitis C.
“We’re struggling at the moment, the inquiry re-opened the other week and we’re hoping that it will be able to influence the way forward going into the future.”
The Government said it was delivering on recommendation six, which was to monitor patients with liver damage, by ensuring that all patients with liver damage will have their care overseen by a medical consultant.
It also included in the recommendation patients with a Hepatitis C diagnosis would receive greater follow-up and monitoring, and NHS England will also be proactively identifying patients with bleeding disorders to ensure they receive appropriate testing, treatment and ongoing monitoring.
In the latest release, the Government announced Sir Robert Francis KC, Interim Chair of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA), would remain in his role for another 18 months.
It said the decision to extend his term was taken to provide "continuity for the organisation and the infected blood community" and "ensure compensation continues to be delivered without delay."
The Inquiry also set out its intention to publish a further report on compensation in the future and the Government says it remains committed to cooperating with the Inquiry.