Contaminated blood financial review group submit proposals to Scottish Government

The Financial Review Group, which was established by the Scottish Government following the publication of the Penrose Inquiry earlier this year, has today submitted to the Scottish Government its recommendations for the reform of the current financial support arrangements for people affected by infected NHS blood and blood products.
The proposals, which will now be examined by the Scottish Government, include significantly increasing the level of annual payments offered to those people with HIV and advanced hepatitis C who were infected via NHS blood and blood products; increasing support for spouses of the deceased; increasing the lump sum payments to people who acquired hepatitis via NHS blood and blood products, and providing more flexible support and assistance grants.
Petra Wright, Scottish Officer of The Hepatitis C Trust and a member of the Financial Review Group, today said:
“The Hepatitis C Trust are pleased that the Scottish Government are seeking to address the failings of the current financial arrangements for those affected by hepatitis C and HIV as a consequence of NHS treatment. It has been a priviledge to be part of the Financial Review Group and we particularly welcome the proposed further discussions to establish new criteria for stage 2 of the Skipton Fund – this will reflect the impact of hepatitis C on the overall health of those affected by hepatitis C. We look forward to the final decision of the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing.”
Shona Robison MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, said:
“I welcome these recommendations from the Financial Review Group. We will carefully consider all of them and come to a decision on a way forward in due course. 
A new and improved system of financial support for those infected in Scotland will be announced before World Haemophilia Day, next April.”
You can read the Financial Review Group’s recommendations in full here.