First blood scandal victims get final payments this year

The first victims of the infected blood scandal will receive their final compensation payment before the end of the year, the government has said.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

Announcing the details of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, cabinet office minister John Glen also promised that all those affected by the scandal will be eligible to claim compensation under the scheme. And, to cheers from campaigners watching in the Commons’ public gallery, Mr Glen announced Sir Robert Francis as the interim chairman of the body that will administer the compensation scheme.

Sir Robert led the investigation into one of the NHS’s worst care disasters, the Mid Staffordshire hospital scandal. After his appointment, Sir Robert said: “Having witnessed the depth of victims’ suffering as I compiled my report on the compensation framework, I know the urgency of providing them with the remedies they are entitled to as soon as is practicable. The government’s proposals for the scheme are positive and meaningful and I look forward to discussing them with the community through a validation exercise which the minister and I have agreed will take place.”

Mr Glen added: “We are establishing the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, an arm’s-length body to administer the compensation scheme. A shadow body has already been set up and an interim CEO has been appointed, and today I’m delighted to announce the appointment of Sir Robert Francis as the interim chair of the organisation. The experience and the care that Sir Robert will bring to this role will ensure that the scheme is credible and trusted by the community. His support in delivering this scheme will be invaluable.”