Following this week’s special hearings of The Infected Blood Inquiry, Des Collins, senior partner at Collins Solicitors and adviser to some 1500 victims of the infected blood scandal – both those infected and affected – comments:

“On behalf of my clients I would like to thank Sir Brian Langstaff and his team, especially the forensic Jenni Richards KC, for their efforts to shine a light on the inadequacies of the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme (IBCS) and the Government’s approach to compensation for the infected blood community.

We heard powerful accounts from victims on exactly what the flaws are and why the IBCS as currently constituted is causing such anxiety, distress and distrust.

Ms Richards put detailed questions to the Paymaster General and senior IBCS and Cabinet Office representatives so they can now be in no doubt as to the deficiencies of the scheme from the community’s perspective. There are fundamental problems both with the design of the scheme as well as aggravating issues with its delivery. She also extracted various promises from these officials to review some of the issues with a view to making improvements.

We welcome, in particular, for example, the commitments from Paymaster General Nick Thomas-Symonds to look at: the speed of compensation delivery; the 1 January 1982 liability window and the possibility of a “supplemental route” for affected people including children, parents and siblings.

Sadly, the Paymaster General was probably right to say we can’t at this point start again – it would indeed cause yet further interminable delay. We are where we are, although frankly this was avoidable if the Government had involved the community in the design of the scheme as it originally promised. But improvements can still be made and are essential if we are to honour our obligation to the Infected Blood community as outlined in the Public Inquiry Final report.

Regulations can be tweaked. Tariffs can be increased. More staff can be hired. The tone deaf aspects of the scheme can be adjusted. These are all possibilities if the Government wants to demonstrate it has heard the community and is committed to justice for them.”

ENDS

To interview Des Collins, please contact:- Bell Yard Communications: Louise Beeson: louise@bell-yard.com / Mob: 07768 956997

Notes to Editors

The Infected Blood Inquiry, chaired by Sir Brian Langstaff, was the UK’s largest ever statutory inquiry. It began in July 2018 to examine the circumstances in which patients treated by the NHS in the 1970s and 80s became infected with HIV and Hepatitis due to treatment involving infected blood products. The Inquiry Final Report was published on 20 May 2024. Collins Solicitors represented the largest victim group in the Inquiry – numbering some 1,500 infected and affected clients. It also worked tirelessly alongside various campaign groups within the infected blood community to put the Government under pressure to acknowledge its failings and agree to pay compensation. An £11.8 billion compensation package is currently being disbursed by the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme and Collins Solicitors continues to support clients in the application process to the scheme.