Infected blood victims’ groups ask Andy Burnham MP to finish the fight for justice
A delegation of infected blood community groups and charities is calling on Andy Burnham MP to meet with them urgently and help secure major changes to the infected blood compensation scheme, which they say is failing to deliver justice for people who have already waited more than 40 years.
The groups are asking Mr Burnham to make urgent improvements to the scheme, so that people infected and affected by the infected blood scandal receive fair and timely compensation. Mr Burnham has already publicly criticised the existing scheme and expressed his support to amend many elements of it.
As part of the appeal, community members have compiled a book of handwritten letters to Mr Burnham, sharing their personal experiences and pleading for his help. The letters describe decades of loss, trauma, ill health, bereavement and injustice — and ask him to stand with the community once again.
The delegation of victims’ groups hopes to hand the book to Mr Burnham in person as soon as possible.
Mr Burnham has been a long-standing supporter of the infected blood community and played a key role in calling for the public inquiry into the scandal. Victims’ groups are now asking him to help ‘finish the fight’ for justice.
The infected blood scandal is widely recognised as the worst treatment disaster in NHS history. Thousands of people were infected with HIV, hepatitis C and other viruses through contaminated blood and blood products. Many have died without receiving justice, while families continue to live with the consequences.
Community groups say that although the creation of a compensation scheme was a vital step forward, serious concerns remain about eligibility, the level of awards, delays, support for bereaved families, and whether the scheme fully reflects the findings of the Infected Blood Inquiry.
A spokesperson for the delegation said:
“People infected and affected by this scandal have already waited more than 30 years for justice. Many have died waiting. The community now needs urgent action, not further delay.
“Andy Burnham has stood with this community before, and we are asking him to stand with us again. He has always given us hope when we felt forgotten. These handwritten letters show, in people’s own words, why the compensation scheme must be changed and why justice cannot wait any longer.”
Rachel Halford, CEO of the Hepatitis C Trust said:
“We have been honoured to help coordinate this book of letters from the infected blood community. These are deeply personal appeals from people whose lives have been devastated by this scandal.
“We hope to hand the book to Andy Burnham as soon as possible and ask him to meet with community representatives to hear directly why urgent changes to the compensation scheme are needed.”
Quotes from victim’s letters:
“We need your support so that we can all hopefully enjoy what lives we’ve got left to live and to do it with some kind of dignity, and then perhaps we can all learn to smile again. Thank you Mr Andy Burnham MP.”
‘Please give us what we were promised – peace and justice.’
“I know that you have been a tireless advocate for justice. Your work to expose the truth, push for public inquiries, and secure compensation has been a beacon of hope for so many. You have given a voice to victims who were ignored for decades, and your unwavering commitment has been a lifeline.”