Infected blood scandal in the spotlight «Euro Weekly News

The Infected Blood Studies of Great Britain will be reopened this week on Wednesday, May 7th to Thursday, May 8th, in order to investigate ongoing concerns about the treatment of the government's compensation for victims of the decades of NHS scandals.

More than 30,000 people were infected with HIV and hepatitis C by contaminated blood products in the NHS treatment between the 1970s and early 1990s. An estimated 3,000 people have now died and activists say that delays in compensation could die more without justice.

Infected blood victims fear that they will not live to recognize compensation

Many of those affected frustrated in the slow pace of payment, although the government in the budget October 2024, which Rachel Reeves presented, assigned £ 11.8 billion for compensation.

Gary Webster, who was infected with both HIV and hepatitis C while he took part in the Treloar School of Lord Mayor in Hampshire, told him the Treloar School Pa media:

“They say they hope to pay by the end of 2027 and those affected by the end of 2029.

“People are now afraid that they will only survive if they receive compensation.” (Quoted from Sky News.))

Others reflect similar concerns. Justine Gordon-Smith, whose father died of hepatitis C, told BBC News These widows and older parents feel “on the back of the queue” for compensation.

The reopened hearings focus on the “topicality and adequacy” of the government's remuneration program. The program is carried out by the Infized Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA), which had invited 475 people from April 24, 2025 to claim, and 77 payments of more than 78 million GBP. (Quoted from BBC).

A government spokesman told that of the BBC:

“So far we have paid almost 80 million GBP and put 11.8 billion GBP aside to provide one of the most comprehensive remuneration systems in modern history.”

The IBCA stated that it expanded its team of trained damage managers and invites 100 people every week to receive a claim from May 5th.

Of the collin, a lawyer who represents the victim, said:

“People die while waiting for justice. They didn't see it. In some cases the claims die with them.”

At the beginning of the new hearings, the investigation published a note of lawyers in which problems and a summary of chronology and evidence are presented. Many hope that the procedure will put the government under pressure to accelerate support for victims who have been waiting for recognition and justice for decades.

The final report from the infected blood test is expected shortly, which may give the growing demand for immediate and fair compensation.

For more information and updates, see the official website for infected blood tests.

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