People given infected blood and blood products in one of the worst treatment disasters in NHS history have said they will “have justice” as hearings reopened into the scandal.
Sir Brian Langstaff, chairman of the Infected Blood Inquiry, is holding two days of special hearings to exmaine the “timeliness and adequacy of the Government’s response to compensation”.
Campaigners have voiced concerns surrounding the compensation scheme, which was announced last year, with some victims saying they fear they will not live to receive their payout.
The Infected Blood Inquiry will hold hearings in May.
— Infected Blood Inquiry (@bloodinquiry) April 9, 2025
Follow this link to find out more: https://t.co/Cjvq9krLHy
Groups representing people infected and affected by the scandal and people infected themselves are giving evidence on Wednesday morning.
Andrew Evans, from the campaign group Tainted Blood and who was infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products during treatment for haemophilia as a child, said: “We have around 2,100 members, all of whom are in a desperate state at the moment since the announcement of the Government’s compensation package and things that have unfolded since.”
Nigel Hamilton, chairman of Haemophilia Northern Ireland, said: “I started off as a haemophiliac from birth. I had a liver transplant as a result of hepatitis C in 2018.
“I lost a twin brother Christmas day just over a year ago and I have several cousins I have also lost within the family.
“I believe in justice. I believe we have to be here today, thanks to the public inquiry and Sir Brian to ensure that we get the opportunity to repeat that we need justice.
“We are entitled to justice and we will have justice.”
Alan Burgess, a campaigner who was co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C while receiving treatment for haemophilia, said: “I can’t believe we are back here today.”
More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s.
This week we’re contacting everyone who’s infected and registered with an existing support scheme to let them know we have their details for a claim and will be in touch when their claim can begin.
— Infected Blood Compensation Authority (@IBCA_UK) April 14, 2025
We are also asking for anyone who is nearing the end of their life to contact us… pic.twitter.com/vA5sQEWCCb
Some 3,000 people died as a result and survivors are living with lifelong health implications.
Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has been called to give evidence on Wednesday afternoon while Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) officials will be quizzed by inquiry lawyers on Thursday.
In her October budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves allocated £11.8 billion to compensate victims, administered by the IBCA.
As of April 24, some 475 people have been invited to make a claim and 77 payments have been made totalling more than £78 million, according to IBCA figures.
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