£100,000 in compensation will be paid to thousands of survivors of the infected blood scandal the government has announced, but activists say Most of those who have received
Outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson wants money paid to victims and their surviving partners in worst medical disaster in NHS history said.
Campaigners said in the announcement that most families affected by the scandal go unrecognized and will miss out on many interim payments.
This debacle resulted in an estimated 2,400 deaths in the 1970s and 1980s of patients infected with HIV and hepatitis C from contaminated blood products.
We continue to support all those affected by this terrible tragedy. . Tributes to all those who fought for justice resolutely
Boris Johnson
Final Recommendations from Public Research on Compensation for Bereaved Family and Wider People And the victim's children are expected when the investigation concludes next year.
The government said it will pay out those infected or bereaved in the United Kingdom by the end of October. The same payments are made in Scotland,Walesand Northern Ireland.
Mr Johnson said: They will receive these intermediate payments as soon as possible.
"We will continue to support all those affected by this terrible tragedy. I would like to personally pay tribute to all those who fought resolutely for justice.
Kit Malthaus, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said:
"These intermediate payments begin the process of ensuring that certainty. My priority is getting those people the money as soon as possible.
" Of course, no amount of money will compensate the victims and their loved ones for the turmoil they have faced, but we hope these payments help show that we are on their side and will do all they can to help. They."
Fortunately, I'm not dead yet. But some children have lost their mothers and fathers, so I'm glad to have this recognition
Mark Fox, Infected Blood Survivor
Health Secretary Steve Berkleysaid, ``The infected blood scandal should not have happened. We are taking an important step in correcting this historic mistake that has been left behind by the thousands of people who lost their lives.”
and relied on regular injections of Factor VIII, a US product, to survive.
They were unaware that they were receiving contaminated Factor VIII from people who received donations, such as prisoners and drug addicts.
Patients were administered the product for years despite repeated warnings from top government officials.
New cases of HIV and hepatitis continue to be diagnosed decades after initial contamination, leading to many premature deaths.
Campaigner Sue Her Three Calls, whose husband Bob contracted her HIV from contaminated blood and died in 1991 at the age of 47, said: I'm here. Parents who went through life without parents, they were unrecognized, and lost their young child in their arms.
In 1985 Bob Three Call with his son David (PA)
(PA Archives)
There will always be family members who don't know if they are entitled to claim. Their lives could have been better supported. "
Mark Fox, 44, who contracted her hepatitis C after being treated with contaminated blood products for hemophilia as a child, said the announcement is significant. said.
A former beauty technician from Seaham, County Durham, one of the girlfriends expected to receive compensation, said:
"That's what they tried to hide, so many tried to brush it under the carpet. Grow up, grow up.
``Compensation helps so many people. We are pleased to have this recognition."
Wednesday's announcement follows the recommendation of Sir Robert Francis QC, who has led a review of compensation for those affected by the scandal, to provide victims with money. He said there was a "strong moral basis" for giving. Liability or liability if certain criteria are met.
He previously said, ``There are people who fear that they will not survive long enough to be seen, let alone enjoy the fruits of reparations.''
Rosemary Calder, whose 25-year-old son Nicky died of HIV in 1999 after being administered infected blood products to treat hemophilia, continues to wait for her bereaved family. she said.
A step in the right direction, but a long way to go
Rosemary Calder
Mrs. Calder, 74, moved her family from North London to Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, after her son was called an 'AIDS boy' at school. I was. Parents and children who have lost her loved ones are just ignored.
"Parents are so discouraged and discouraged that they won't admit it.
"It's not about the money, it's about the lives of the children.
"So many parents were struggling financially because they had to quit their jobs and they had to move houses. Because of all the stigma, people lost their jobs. This
"I think [intermediate compensation] is a step in the right direction, but there is a long way to go." An investigation, published and launched the following year, gathered evidence from more than 5,000 witnesses at hearings held in all four UK countries. We plan to come to a conclusion next year.
A patient with hemophilia and her family said she was kept secret about her risk of HIV infection during the AIDS crisis and had to keep her diagnosis private for fear of slander. Dire evidence has been published from Living with the physical effects of HIV.
The government launched an "industrial cover-up" amid allegations of improper treatment of patients, unknowingly testing people, and results pending for years. Some people criticized it for doing so.
Lauren Palmer gave evidence in investigation (Joe Gammy/PA)
(PA Archives)
Lauren Palmer, whose parents died of HIV within eight days in 1993, said: Everything was wrong from the beginning. ''
The 39-year-old from Bristol added:
Kate Bart, Chief Executive of the Hemophilia Society, said:
"This is an important development. But the vast majority of bereaved families, including the parents and children of the deceased, will receive nothing.
"Because of this NHS treatment disaster. Steps must now be taken to put in place a viable scheme that can provide prompt, fair and full compensation to all those who have suffered catastrophic losses in 148}
Given that (bereaved parents and children) are not mentioned in today's announcement, it is also as if these victims did not exist. As if
Des Collins
Des Collins, senior partner at Collins Solicitors representing some of the affected families, said many was "again ignored in a government announcement on Wednesday.
Many of them are unable to work and desperately need funds to survive," he said. It is also an important sign that the wheels of justice are beginning to reach those affected by this terrible scandal.
"But this promise is far from the end of the story. These are interim payments, but in no way meaningful compensation for the people who continue to suffer daily from the horrific failures of the Ministry of Health in the 70's and 80's.
, the payments promised today will have a wider impact, including those who have lost children, parents and loved ones, those who sadly care for victims who are no longer with us, and those whose family members have died. It does not recognize or in any other way benefit those who have suffered, who have been devastated by the tragedy at the hands of the Ministry of Health.
Having fought for retribution for years, today's announcement is hardly reassuring.Again, for no reason, they seem to have to wait.
The fight continues for full and proper compensation to all those who have been affected and once again ignored in today's announcement. must be kicked.
"Given the lack of mention of [bereaved parents and children] in today's announcement, it is as if these victims do not exist."
Jason Evans, founder of Factor 8, a nonprofit that campaigns for victims and their families, said:A horrific tragedy" but they are doing nothing to help most families. Another scandal within a scandal.
"Similarly, Steve Berkley said today, 'Work is underway to ensure that those affected by this tragedy receive the support they deserve.' TODAY 's message is that for most families, nothing they deserve now."