Ahead of the publication of Sir Brian Langstaff’s Additional Report on Compensation expected tomorrow Wednesday (9th July), Des Collins, senior partner at Collins Solicitors and adviser to some 1500 victims of the infected blood scandal, comments:

“Back in May we heard powerful accounts from victims about the inadequacies of the Government’s approach to compensation for the infected blood community and the workings of the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme (IBCS) causing considerable anxiety, distress and distrust.

It was evident that there are fundamental problems both with the design of the scheme as well as aggravating issues with its delivery and we look forward to Sir Brian formally cataloging these in his upcoming report.

Of course, what we also need is action to tackle these deficiencies and we commend Sir Brian for using his leverage to try to bring that about.

In our view there has already been some recent progress in the number of infected people being invited to apply for compensation.

However it remains the case that those affected – by virtue of the fact they lost husbands, fathers, sons and family members to infected blood/blood products – are still in the dark about the route to compensation for them. There has been absolutely no guidance on timeframes for when they will be invited to apply. These members of the community deserve better.

The pressure must therefore be maintained to ensure all of those who have suffered are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

In addition, in May, the Paymaster General Nick Thomas-Symonds promised he would look into issues such as 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. We hope Sir Brian can ensure this promise is honoured and not simply in a lip-service way.

Whilst the path to compensation for the infected blood community has been far from smooth, improvements can still be made and are essential if we are to honour our obligation to them and avoid the protracted problems evident in the Windrush and Post Office schemes.”

ENDS

To interview Des Collins or any of his clients about their experience of the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, 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.