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Infected Blood Inquiry to Reopen as Victims Await Compensation

New hearings will assess delays in the £11.8 billion compensation scheme as victims and families express fears of dying before receiving payments.

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Overview

  • The Infected Blood Inquiry will reconvene on May 7–8 to examine the government's response to compensation delays for victims of the NHS contaminated blood scandal.
  • Over 30,000 people were infected with HIV and hepatitis C between the 1970s and early 1990s due to contaminated NHS blood products, with around 3,000 deaths reported.
  • As of April 24, the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) had invited 475 claimants and issued 77 payments totaling over £78 million, but progress has been criticized as too slow.
  • Victims and campaigners warn that delays and a perceived lack of transparency in the scheme risk many beneficiaries dying before receiving compensation.
  • Charities and legal representatives have called for urgent action, criticizing the IBCA's perceived lack of independence and the government's handling of the scheme.