Blood scandal body boosts recruitment

NEW JOBS WILL OFFER A CAREER WITH REAL 'PURPOSE'

- By COREENA FORD

Jody Kelsey, senior human resources business partner, left, and Alix Crabtree, deputy director of data operations, at the Infected Blood Compensation Authority at Benton Park View in Newcastle

MORE than 250 new jobs are set to be created in 2026 as the infected blood authority in Newcastle ramps up recruitment to speed up compensation payments.

The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) is recruiting into the roles as compensation is delivered to people impacted by the infected blood scandal.

The IBCA was created in 2024 as a direct result of the scandal, in which more than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C having been given contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s.

It is believed up to 140,000 bereaved children, parents and siblings of victims may also be able to claim compensation.

The contaminated blood scandal also affected many haemophiliacs who were told they were receiving a “miracle” treatment.

Over more than four decades, more than 3,000 people have died - and continue to do so.