NHS blood infection scandal – payments to increase for families in England

The government has announced that families in England who lost relatives due to the NHS blood infection scandal are to receive the same payments as those in other parts of the UK.

Approximately 3,000 people have died after being given blood containing hepatitis C and HIV during the 1970s and 1980s. The infections occurred when people with haemophilia and other bleeding disorders were given a blood clotting agent called Factor VIII to help speed their recovery from injuries.

A significant proportion of the supply was imported from the US, where much of the blood used to make Factor VIII came from donors including drug-users and prisoners.

Although it is known that around 5,000 people in the UK are believed to have been infected, some estimates put the number at closer to 30,000.

There has been extensive resentment among victims and their families over the different levels of financial support throughout the UK nations.

Scotland has been ahead of Northern Ireland, Wales and England and although there has now been a move to put all payments at the same level, campaigners argue that not all the issues have been addressed.

In a written statement, treasury minister Penny Mordaunt, said all bereaved partners would “automatically” receive a lump sum of £10,000, and added that regular payment would be increased for survivors of infections.

Ms Mordaunt added that it had been agreed that “any future changes to national schemes would be subject to consultation between the UK government and devolved administrations.”

She also announced that an “independent” reviewer would be appointed “shortly” to review future developments in compensation.

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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