Chair of Infected Blood Inquiry says “decisive action” needed on financial support

The Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry, Sir Brian Langstaff, has written to the Cabinet Office drawing attention to the financial support schemes for infected and affected people across the UK. Under current schemes, payments can range from under £5,000 a year to more than £36,000 and many of those affected have complained about difficulty accessing the funds.
Sir Brian has called for “decisive action” over the support available, acknowledging the level of sentiment and anger expressed to him by those infected and affected at the preliminary hearings in September. Throughout the hearings, there were repeated calls for financial assistance which fully recompenses individuals and families for the losses they have suffered.
The letter also notes the lack of desire among core participants for the Minister to appoint panel members alongside the Chair and asks the Cabinet Office to confirm that he does not intend to appoint them.
See a BBC News story summarising the letter here, and further info on the Infected Blood Inquiry website here.
If you have any concerns around hepatitis C and contaminated blood, The Hepatitis C Trust’s confidential helpline is open Monday-Friday from 10.30am-4.30pm and is staffed solely by people who have themselves been affected by hepatitis C. You can call the helpline on 020 7089 6221. Alternatively, you can email helpline@hepctrust.org.uk.