In the 1970s and 1980s, thousands of hemophilia patients were infected with contaminated blood. Over a thousand patients contracted HIV, at least 3,900 with Hepatitis C, and at least 1,200 patients have since died as a result - though some estimates place this quantity at higher than 2,400.
For several years, I have been vocal in calling for the Government to grant an inquiry into the scandal and to bring justice to the sufferers and the families and loved ones of those who sadly passed away.
Until now, no government has accepted liability, but a parliamentary review panel is to be set up to examine proposals for a compensation scheme.
The Government has now confirmed its plans to award billions of pounds in compensation.
Sadly more than 2,000 people have already died prematurely, a large amount from Sussex and the surrounding areas.
This announcement is the right thing to do and will be welcomed by many but it is long overdue and sadly some are no longer with us and able to welcome this news.
It’s 31 years since I first started working with the Haemophilia Society to try to get proper recognition of the effect being contaminated with infected blood would have on people and their households.
The full ITV news item is viewable here.
