Individuals who were infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) after receiving contaminated blood from the NHS are to receive £20,000 in compensation.
Patients who were infected with HCV before September 1991 and who were alive in August 2003 will be eligible for the payouts.
A larger payment of £25,000 will be available to people who have developed more advanced forms of HCV disease, such as liver cancer or cirrhosis.
In addition to being available to people currently infected with HCV, individuals who cleared HCV after treatment will also be eligible for compensation. The payments will also be available to individuals who have already received compensation after being infected with HIV by contaminated blood supplies.
An independent body to administer the payments is being established by the NHS, and the necessary benefit legislation will be amended.
However, the proposed compensation has been criticised by the Haemophilia Society as being too small, and for excluding the families of individuals who received contaminated blood and died prior to August 2003. A spokesperson for the Haemophilia Society said: “the Government’s decision to exclude families who have been bereaved as a result of hepatitis [C] lacks compassion and is a bitter blow to those who, surely, have suffered the greatest harm from this tragic disaster.”
Health Secretary John Reid defended the scheme. “It is important that English hepatitis C patients should receive these payments”, he said, adding “it’s clear that providing assistance is the right thing to do” and defended the payments as “fair and reasonable.”
A further announcement will be made by the NHS on how to claim. Individuals who would like to register an interest and to receive information on making a claim once it becomes available are asked to contact the Department of Health on 020 7210 4850 or by emailing dhmail@doh.gsi.gov.uk.