Government starts payments for compensation
- Cabinet Office confirms the government expects a compensation body to start making payments by the end of the year.
- Victims of infected blood will soon receive compensation from the government.
- Government takes steps to address the issue of infected blood compensation.
Ministers have granted the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) the authority to initiate payments to victims of the infected blood scandal, a significant step towards addressing the long-standing grievances of those affected. Paymaster General Nick Thomas-Symonds expressed pride in signing the necessary documents, which will enable the IBCA to begin awarding compensation once it is fully established. The government anticipates that payments will commence by the end of 2024, with disbursements to victims and their families expected to start in 2025. The Cabinet Office's policy outlines that compensation will be available to patients who can demonstrate they contracted hepatitis C, chronic hepatitis B, or HIV due to NHS or armed forces' infected blood. Eligibility is based on specific treatment dates, with those treated for hepatitis C between January 1952 and September 1991, chronic hepatitis B between January 1952 and December 1972, and HIV between January 1982 and November 1985 qualifying for compensation. Compensation will consist of various awards, including those for physical and mental injury, social impact, and personal autonomy, alongside financial loss and care costs. The government aims to provide victims with compensation without the need for court proceedings, streamlining the process for those seeking redress. While the establishment of the IBCA has been welcomed, concerns remain regarding disparities in compensation amounts based on the specific diseases contracted. Susan Lee from the Hepatitis C Trust highlighted the need for further clarity on the compensation structure, emphasizing that victims have waited far too long for justice.