[ad_1]
Victims of the tainted blood scandal in England will receive more money, the government said, at the opening of a public inquiry.
In the 1970s and 1980s, thousands of hemophiliacs and other hospitalized patients received blood products infected with hepatitis C and HIV, resulting in the death of approximately 2,400 people .
As hearings began Tuesday in central London, the government announced that additional funds would go to thousands of people affected by the medical disaster in England.
"Regular annual payments for some of those infected will increase dramatically, from £ 46 million to £ 75 million," said the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs (DHSC).
Partners of more bereaved victims will also be eligible for badistance.
Premier Theresa May said, "The tainted blood scandal was a tragedy that should never have happened and caused unimaginable suffering and injury to victims and their families for decades.
"I know that victims and their families will be going through difficult times, but today we are embarking on a journey that will shed light on what has happened and bring justice to everyone involved."
Infected blood support devices were introduced in 2017 – with country-specific programs in Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland.
The increase in funding "follows extensive consultations with the people concerned and the recognition of the disparities that exist between the programs," added the DHSC.
At the Fleetbank House hearing in central London, victims of the Infected Blood Survey will hear similar testimony in the coming months in Belfast, Leeds, Edinburgh and Cardiff.
The inquiry is chaired by Sir Brian Langstaff, a former High Court Judge.
Sir Brian said, "As I had promised in the beginning, people and their experiences are at the heart of this investigation, which has honored its commitment to hear directly in major UK centers from infected with blood or blood. blood products, and those who have been affected by this.
"I have no doubt that their testimony will not only be poignant, but also a powerful tool to help understand the truth about what has happened."
[ad_2]
Source link
