WELSH Labour Health Minister Vaughan Gething has today confirmed extra financial support will be available to all those affected by the infected blood scandal.
After years of fighting for parity of support for all those affected, the UK Government has agreed to Welsh Labour’s calls to resolve the differences between the four UK schemes.
The Welsh Infected Blood Support Scheme will be aligned to the schemes in Scotland and England and financial support will be backdated to April 2019.
And the three other UK schemes will follow Wales’ lead by paying the £10,000 death benefit automatically. They are also introducing psychological support schemes, similar to that already available in Wales.
Welsh Labour Health Minister Vaughan Gething said:
“The infected blood scandal has been a dark chapter in the NHS’ history, which has had devastating and long-lasting consequences many people.
“For too long the UK Government had refused to recognise its responsibility to the victims and put right the disparities between the different support schemes available to the people. I’m pleased it has now corrected this disparity.”
The Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme was set up in 2017 to provide support to people who have been infected with Hepatitis C and, or HIV following treatment with contaminated NHS blood, blood products or tissue.
Julie Morgan, Welsh Labour’s candidate for Cardiff North, has campaigned for many years for equal support for all those affected by the infected blood scandal. She added:
“Too many people have had to fight for support while they are also fighting to learn the truth about why they contracted hepatitis C or HIV.
“I’m thrilled that we will finally see parity of support for the many people in Wales who have been affected by this awful scandal.
“But sadly, this UK Conservative Government’s decision to recognise its responsibility comes too late.”
The UK Infected Blood Inquiry is currently continuing.
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