Thousands of victims of infected blood scandal will receive interim payments of £100,000 'as soon as possible' incompensationgovernment will announce .
The Infected Blood Inquiry investigated how thousands of patients in the UK contracted HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. It was established to investigate how infected.
About 2,400 people died and more than 4,000 are believed to have survived the incident, which has been called the worst medical disaster in NHS history.
The chairman of the inquiry, Sir Brian Langstaff, last month called for compensation "without delay" to all infected blood victims and their families.
He said at least he should be offered interim compensation of £100,000.
His request was supported by his three former health secretaries, Andy Burnham, Jeremy Hunt and Matt Hancock.
In a letter sent to Boris Johnson, they warned that "more than 400 people have already died since the investigation began," adding that "one death every four days." The infected are estimated to have died.”
The government is expected to announce this week that interim payments will be made as soon as possible.
The funds will be used to meet immediate bills and care needs, and a final recommendation on compensation will be made when the investigation concludes next year.
According to The Sunday Times, the Principality of Lancaster, Kit Malthaus, and Health Secretary Stephen Barclay have coordinated across the government on the issue.The Sunday Times.
Brian Langstaff, chairman of the Infected Blood Investigation, said that victims would receive interim compensation.
(PA)
government sources told the newspaper:
"So, behind the back of Sir Brian Langstaff's report a few weeks ago, ministers across the government have been scrutinizing how best to rectify this historic mistake.
"Given the heartbreaking position of many victims, it is imperative that top governments move this forward quickly to give victims clarity and assurance at the earliest opportunity."
Des Collins, senior partner at Collins Solicitors, which represents families and those affected by the scandal, said Langstaff's report was "a welcome development." "But the compensation was long overdue.
"These immediate interim payments to some of the most vulnerable will ultimately pay off the financial compensation many of the suffering will have to pay for decades to come." will provide," he said.
"Too late for the thousands of people who have tragically died in the years since they were infected, but those who are still suffering the horrific effects of this avoidable treatment failure.
"All the victims of this scandal owe it to the suffering and those who made the decisions that ruined the lives of the countless innocents who are being held accountable." I look forward to the day when I am properly compensated."
