Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland victims welcome breakthrough on infected blood payments

Nigel Hamilton (63) from Co Antrim welcomed the progress, but said issues like ‘paltry’ payments for those experimented on without their consent was not enough

More than 30,000 people who received NHS treatment between the 1970s and early 1990s were infected with contaminated blood
More than 30,000 people who received NHS treatment between the 1970s and early 1990s were infected with contaminated blood (Victoria Jones/PA)
By Allan Preston

VICTIMS of the infected blood scandal from Northern Ireland have welcomed news that compensation payouts will start before the end of the year.

The Labour government announced on Friday that those infected can expect support for life, while those subjected to “unethical” research will get an extra £15,000.

Payouts will start by the end of the year for survivors, and by next year for affected people such as family members.

Claims for more than 3,000 people who have already died can be made through their estate.

Support scheme payments, including for bereaved partners, will also continue for life – with the Government accepting the majority of recommendations from an independent review.

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Those used for research without their knowledge will receive an extra £10,000, with a higher award of £15,000 for those experimented on children.

The new regulations are expected to be introduced by August 24, with a second set of regulations for affected people in the coming months.

Known as the worst scandal in the history of the NHS, it started in the 1970s when infected blood was sourced from donors in the United States including prisoners and drug addicts in the United States – leading to the death of over 3,000 people and infecting up to 30,000 patients with HIV and other life-threatening illnesses.

Over 400 people in Northern Ireland were infected, but it’s unknown how many deaths it caused as many died from secondary illnesses.

Nigel and Simon Hamilton
Nigel Hamilton, left, with his late twin brother Simon at the Infected Blood Inquiry in Belfast in 2019. PICTURE: HUGH RUSSELL (Brian Lawless/PA)

Nigel Hamilton (63) from Co Antrim is the chair of Haemophilia NI.

He and his late twin brother Nigel both faced serious long-term illness after receiving infected blood in separate incidents, requiring decades of treatment for Hepatitis C, liver cirrhosis and cancer.

Welcoming the development, he said it was still disappointing that it would take a considerable amount of time for those who aren’t already recipients to get their applications processed – and of the “paltry” offer of £10,000 for those used as guinea pigs.

While there’s no sign of legal action being taken against those in authority, he is hopeful that civil cases can be brought in time.

He is less optimistic of holding those who supplied the infected blood from the United States in the first place, comparing it it to oil companies not registered in the UK avoiding massive tax bills.

“I was infected in 1976 when I was 16. I’m 63 now, which gives you an indication of the duration of this process,” he said.

“Long, slow and arduous as well as extremely painful for all the victims, infected and affected.

“Now we’re starting to see some justice. But it’s not all about compensation, we also need to see other recommendations implemented. That’s what we’ll be talking to (Stormont Health Minister) Mike Nesbitt about.”