Contaminated blood victims suffering further because of compensation delays, finds report
Sir Brian Langstaff — who last year called the NHS scandal the worst medical cover-up in British history — now says help for patients and their families has been 'profoundly unsatisfactory'.
More than 30,000 people were infected with viruses such as HIV and hepatitis after clinics used high-risk blood donors in the 1970s and '80s.
Ministers last year set up an £11.8billion fund but so far just £300million has been paid out.
Campaigners estimate 100 people have died waiting since Sir Brian's 2024 report.
Yesterday, Sir Brian, chair of the official Infected Blood Inquiry, blasted: 'I did not expect that the inquiry would have to issue a further report, because I hoped — indeed, expected — there would be no need for one.'
He said: 'The UK Government has known for years that compensation was inevitable, and identified many who should have it.
"But only 460 have so far received compensation and many more have not even been allowed to start the process.'
He found the Infected Blood Compensation Authority set up its scheme without working directly with victims.
And he added: 'For decades, people who suffered because of infected blood have not been listened to.
"Once again, decisions are being made behind closed doors, leading to obvious injustice.
'It's not too late to get this right.
'Seismic' moment as infected blood scandal report is published
"We are calling for compensation to be made faster and, more than that, fairer.'
Richard Angell, of charity Terrence Higgins Trust, said: 'Those impacted by this tragedy have endured unimaginable suffering.'
Kate Burt, from the Haemophilia Society, added: 'This failure is exhausting, damaging and is stripping this community of its dignity.'
The Government said: 'We are taking action to enable a quicker compensation process.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Sun
I found 18p Wall's Mini Milk lolly dupe that beats Aldi and Lidl too – and it's MUCH cheaper than the big brand
FINDING a treat for kids that isn't loaded with fat and sugar can be challenging. But the Mini Milk is a firm favourite, especially in hot weather. 7 These classic lollies were first sold in the 1970s and come in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. Not only are they lower in sugar and fat than many ice creams, they provide a healthy helping of calcium too. But a pack of ten will now set you back £2.60 making them quite an addition to the weekly bill. Many supermarkets have manufactured own brand versions, but how do they measure up? Lynsey Hope finds out: Wall's Mini Milk £2.60 for 10, 26p each Per 35ml choc lolly: 30 calories, 0.7g fat, 4.1g sugar Lovely flavour, especially the vanilla. They are lower in fat and sugar than most own brands so a great option for a kids' treat. My only issue is the price - they cost over 10p more per lolly than Aldi's dupes. Lots of them also snapped as I got them out the packet and the kids then didn't want to eat them so not great value for money. There was a good variety of flavours in the box with four chocolate lollies, three strawberry and three vanilla. No artificial colours, no additives, low calories and high in calcium. Taste: 4/5 Value: 3/5 Total: 7/10 Iconic 80s retro sweet RETURNS to UK supermarket shelves after a decade Sainsbury's 8 Assorted Milk Lollies £1.40 for 8, 17.5p each Per 35ml choc lolly: 35 calories, 0.8g fat, 5g sugar Made with whole milk, these lollies were pretty good value. The chocolate in particular was smooth to eat and gone in minutes. Honestly, there was very little difference between these and the Wall's ice creams. The chocolate ones are slightly higher in sugar and fat, and the ice cream had a slightly creamier flavour - but that only made them better. The amazing price and taste meant these were my winner. Taste: 5/5 Value: 5/5 Total: 10/10 Aldi Gianni's Milk Lollies £1.25, 15.6p each Per 35 ml choc lolly: 30 calories, 0.8g fat, 4.4g sugar Aldi's milk lollies cost 10p less each than the Wall's ice creams. Whilst it might not sound like a huge saving, the pennies add up. Taste wise they were on point. The chocolate ones had a lovely rich texture and the strawberry flavour were sweet and moreish. The box was emptied in seconds. Great taste, great value - and only 30 calories a lolly so they are a relatively safe option for kids health wise, too. Taste: 4/5 Value: 5/5 Total: 9/10 Asda Assorted Milk Lollies £1.40 for 8, 17.5p each Per 35ml lolly: 55 calories, 2g fat, 4.8g sugar Asda's lollies hold their own against the big brand. They had a lovely flavour, if a little solid to eat. But they still had a good saving when compared to the branded Walls' lollies. They do have double the fat content of other brands, but they don't contain any artificial flavours, colours or hydrogenated fats. Taste: 4/5 Value: 4/5 Total: 8/10 Little Jude's Milk Lollies £2.95 for 8, 36.8p each Per choc lolly: 27 calories, 0.8g fat, 2.7g sugar These are a much healthier option with 30% less sugar than other brands. They also have added Vitamin D. Cold, refreshing and full of flavour for a hot day. Pricey at nearly 37p each but a great option for the freezer that won't send the kids hyper. This pack were lighter on the strawberry flavour, with only two in the pack, compared to three chocolate and three vanilla so you may need to bear this in mind if they are a favourite. Taste: 4/5 Value: 4/5 Total: 8/10 Lidl Gelatelli Milk Lollies £1.19 for 8. 14.8p each Per 35ml choc lolly: 30 calories, 0.8g fat, 4.7g sugar An amazing price from Lidl, these milk lollies cost less than 15p a pop. They were quite icy when I took them out of the packet and were a little cold and less creamy than the branded lollies. That said, they are a bargain price for struggling families and my little one, Ivy, who is five, still lapped them up. The perfect, budget-friendly treat for a hot day. Taste: 2/5 Value: 5/5 Total: 7/10 How to save money on your supermarket shop THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop. You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they've been reduced. If the food is fresh, you'll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time. Making a list should also save you money, as you'll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket. Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too. This means ditching "finest" or "luxury" products and instead going for "own" or value" type of lines. Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they're misshapen or imperfect. For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50. If you're on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too. Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
BBC News
39 minutes ago
- BBC News
Reading GP Arun Bagga struck off after coercive control conviction
A GP jailed for controlling and coercive behaviour has been struck off the medical Bagga, 55, was sentenced at Reading Crown Court in January 2023 to 30 months in prison. Bagga, who practised in Reading, was also given a suspended sentence at the same court in October 2024 for charges including assault. He was ordered to undertake a rehabilitation activity and 100 hours of unpaid work. Following a hearing on Friday, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service found that Bagga should be immediately struck off "for the protection of the public". A panel found if he was allowed to remain on the register "public confidence in the medical profession would be negatively impacted". You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Trump drug tariffs ‘risk medicine shortages across Britain'
Donald Trump's plans to slap 'very, very high' tariffs on drugs risk fuelling medicine shortages across Britain, pharmacists have warned. Ministers have been told to draw up plans to ensure patients can keep accessing vital medicines, after the US president on Tuesday threatened new tariffs of up to 200pc on pharmaceutical imports. Mr Trump said the White House would be announcing 'something very soon on pharmaceuticals'. Dr Leyla Hannbeck, the chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said any new levies would have 'direct consequences for our patients and the community pharmacies they rely on'. The UK imports around £27bn worth of medicines and pharmaceutical products every year and exports £8.8bn of pharmaceutical products to the United States. Although the UK may be able to negotiate a rapid exemption from new US levies on medicine imports following its trade deal with Mr Trump, any tariffs would be expected to send shockwaves through the drug supply chain. Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, said there were concerns over what would happen to drug prices in the UK if Trump followed through on his threats. He said the UK medicine supply chain was 'complex and dependent on many international factors, including events in the US'. Dr Hannbeck said higher prices could make it harder for local pharmacies to keep stocking medicines, adding: 'New tariffs threaten to push up the price of many vital medicines way beyond the level at which the NHS currently reimburses pharmacies. 'That would be unsustainable, presenting a real and present danger to the viability of independent pharmacies across the country and exacerbate medicines shortages that many patients are currently experiencing.' Price rise fears Dr Hannbeck said ministers needed to be ready to take 'immediate and decisive action to protect pharmacies' ability to buy the medicines patients need' if Mr Trump imposed new tariffs. She added: 'The medicine shortage can't get worse, the Government needs a plan.' It comes amid growing alarm at the high level of drug shortages in the UK after years of Britain being overly reliant on medicine ingredients manufactured abroad. A poll conducted by the National Pharmacy Association in March found that all 500 pharmacies surveyed were unable to dispense a prescription at least once a day as a result of supply issues. Earlier this week, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on pharmacy pointed to research suggesting shortages were a routine feature of daily practice for 84pc cent of pharmacists. MPs said shortages of medicines were becoming a 'permanent and escalating feature' of the UK healthcare system. The UK currently pays more than three times less for its medicine supplies than the US. It has been a gripe of Mr Trump, who is understood to be pressing the NHS to pay more for innovative drugs under the terms of a UK-US trade deal. Pharma bosses are currently locked in talks with the Government over an NHS spending cap, designed to keep the UK medicine bill down. However, both sides have yet to reach an agreement, delaying the Government's long-awaited life sciences strategy plan. Mr Gregg said: 'Medicine shortages and problems in the supply chain can be devastating for patients whose health depends on a reliable and predictable supply of medication.' Paul Callaghan, policy manager for patient group Healthwatch England, said: 'If supply issues risk worsening, it's more important than ever that action is taken... It is clear that many patients find current medicine shortages both frustrating and distressing.' Shares in drugmakers AstraZeneca and GSK initially slumped following Mr Trump's warning over pharma tariffs on Tuesday night. However, both stocks later recovered as investors realised companies would have time to prepare. Mr Trump said on Tuesday: 'We're going to give people a year, a year and a half to come in and after that they're going to be tariffed if they bring pharmaceuticals into the country.' A government spokesman said: 'The UK has well-established ways of managing the cost of medicines and clear processes in place to protect against risks to supply. Our trade agenda would never stop this. 'We were the first country to agree a deal with the US that lowered tariffs on key sectors, protected jobs and received one of the lowest reciprocal tariff rates in the world. Conversations with the US are ongoing and we will work closely with them to implement the best deal for the public and our economy.'
