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UK to Compensate 30,000 Victims of Contaminated Blood Scandal, Payments Start 2025

August 25, 2024
UK to Compensate 30,000 Victims of Contaminated Blood Scandal, Payments Start 2025
  • The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) was established following a May inquiry that revealed the NHS and government failed to adequately support victims of the contaminated blood scandal.

  • Over 30,000 individuals infected with contaminated blood during NHS treatments from the 1970s to early 1990s will be eligible for compensation.

  • This tragic scandal resulted in approximately 3,000 deaths and 30,000 infections from HIV, hepatitis, or both due to contaminated blood transfusions.

  • The government expects the IBCA to begin making payments by the end of 2024, with compensation commencing in 2025 for affected individuals and their partners.

  • Campaigner Jason Evans, whose father died from contaminated blood, described the compensation scheme as a 'massive step forward' and a fair resolution for victims.

  • The government acknowledged the long-lasting impact of the scandal, stating that lives have been shattered and justice denied for decades.

  • Paymaster General Nick Thomas-Symonds expressed pride in signing the documents that allow the IBCA to award compensation.

  • The compensation scheme aims to provide support without requiring victims to navigate the court system, streamlining the process for those affected.

  • A policy paper released by the Cabinet Office outlines a tariff-based compensation scheme, detailing the criteria for the first payouts.

  • Compensation awards will consider various factors, including injury, social impact, suffering, care costs, and financial losses, with potential awards ranging from £35,500 to £2,735,000.

  • Concerns have been raised regarding disparities in compensation amounts for different diseases, prompting advocates to call for equitable treatment.

  • While the establishment of the IBCA is welcomed, there are ongoing concerns about compensation disparities and the profound impact of hepatitis on patients' lives.

Summary based on 2 sources


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