Sir Brian’s recommendation to the government for immediate interim payments, according to Des Collins, senior partner at Collins Solicitors, is a “welcome development.”
Sir Brian stated in a letter to Paymaster General Michael Ellis that “the force of Sir Robert Francis QC’s recommendation of an interim payment, as amplified by him in the course of his oral evidence to the inquiry, caused me to reflect on whether I should exercise my powers to make such a report.”
I believed that basic justice demanded that I consider this question. There was no submission to me that argued I should not make a recommendation. “After considering the submissions and reflecting on the evidence this inquiry has heard of profound physical and mental suffering from a diverse range of backgrounds, places, and personal circumstances, I felt it was appropriate to issue this report.” I propose that: (1) an interim payment be made without delay to all infected and bereaved partners currently registered on UK infected blood support schemes, as well as those who register between now and the start of any future scheme; and (2) the amount be no less than £100,000, as recommended by Sir Robert Francis QC.”
It follows the publication in June of a report on interim payments by Sir Robert, who studied options for a compensation framework for victims of the infected blood tragedy.
The investigation was launched to look into how thousands of patients in the United Kingdom were infected with HIV and hepatitis C as a result of contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s.
Around 2,400 people died in what has been dubbed the NHS’s worst treatment disaster in its history.
“These immediate interim payments for some of the most vulnerable will, at long last, provide some financial compensation that many of those suffering have been due for decades,” Mr Collins said.
While it is too late for the thousands who have tragically died in the years since they were infected, it is a welcome development for some of those who are still suffering as a result of this avoidable treatment failure. “We look forward to the day when all victims of this scandal are properly compensated for their suffering and those whose decisions led to the ruining of countless innocent lives are held accountable.”
We now await the government’s response and would like to thank Sir Brian Langstaff, chair of the IBI, for recognising the significance of today’s recommendations.”