Infected blood scandal victims 'harmed' by delays for compensation
Around 30,000 people were infected with HIV and Hepatises B and C as a result of infected blood transfusions and blood products from the 1970's till the 90's
Last updated 9th Jul 2025
Victims and the families of the infected blood scandal are being 'harmed further' by delays for compensation, according to a new report.
It says the Infected Blood Scandal compensation scheme must work faster, fairer and with more transparency after growing concerns by those impacted in the scandal.
Around 30,000 people were infected with HIV and Hepatitis B and C after they received contaminated blood transfusions and blood products up until 1996.
A full report from the Infected Blood Inquiry was published on the 20th of May 2024 which outlined a scheme to compensate those infected with contaminated blood, and their families.
However, up until now, only 460 people have had their compensation paid in full.
From Autumn 2024, the Infected Blood Inquiry received concerned communications from those impacted about the compensation scheme. Complaints included the fact it was designed without those infected and affected, and the length of the process for compensation to be paid.
The report described this as 'a situation where trust in and confidence, both in Government and, unfortunately, to a certain extent in the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, has collapsed'.
Feeling among those impacted lead the inquiry to hold further hearings on the 7th and 8th of May 2025.
The Chair Sir Brian Langstaff said this was due to 'the gravity of the concerns expressed consistently and repeatedly to the inquiry. People infected and affected do not have time on their side'.
The Recommendations
The report's recommendations were broken up into 9 categories impacting the payment of compensation. The inquiry says it believes these recommendations will speed up compensation claims and 'end the uncertainty that has caused so must distress'.
Some of the recommendations include:
The recommendations in the report include:
- People should be able to apply for compensation, instead of having to wait to be asked to do so
- Compensation claims from different impacted groups should be processed in parallel, with priority given to those who are most seriously ill, older or who have never received compensation.
- Compensation must be extended to those infected with HIV before 1982.
- Increase fairness in compensation for those infected with Hepatitis, including recognising the impacts of some forms of treatment
- Requirements for unrealistic evidence should be removed to help recognise those who experienced severe psychological harm.
- Those who where the victims of medical experimentation should be compensated wherever they were treated.
- More transparency for how compensation decisions are made.
- Those infected and affected should have greater involvement in decisions around the operation of the compensation scheme.
- The Government and Infected Blood Compensation Authority should establish a channel where concerns about the scheme can be raised and acted on.