Infected blood victims feel left 'waiting to die in limbo'

Government failings over the compensation offered to victims of the infected blood scandal has left them facing a “new and different layer of psychological pain”, a damning report has concluded.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL, HOLLY EVANS

A report into the compensation of victims and others affected by the scandal found that they have been ignored, branding the British state’s apology meaningless unless they are given greater involvement.

Sir Brian Langstaff, chair of the official inquiry into the infected blood scandal, said: “Decisions have been made behind closed doors leading to obvious injustices.”

Publishing a report into failings in the government’s compensation for victims, Sir Brian said: “The government has known for years that compensation for thousands of people was inevitable and had identified many of those who should have had it. But only 460 have received compensation so far, and many, many more have not even been allowed to begin the process.”

He called for the compensation scheme to be sped up, with greater access offered to those affected by the scandal.

The latest report of the inquiry concluded:

• There was a “missed opportunity” to consult with those impacted by the scandal

• There has been a “repetition of mistakes in the past” in Labour and the Tories’ response to the scandal

• Trust in the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) has been “lost” by many victims

• People impacted by the scandal have expressed a “grave concern” over the delay in compensation

• Regulators behind the IBCA have created a “liability window”, meaning people infected with HIV with contaminated blood or blood products before 1982 will not be compensated

• The impacts of a hepatitis infection are not being “fully recognised” in the compensation scheme, including the impact of early treatment for the virus, which has been linked to severe side effects.