Victims of infected blood scandal set to receive lifelong financial support as payouts to begin end of the year

VICTIMS of the infected blood scandal can receive lifelong financial support — with payouts beginning by the end of the year.

And those subjected to unethical research will get up to £15,000 extra.

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The pledges were yesterday included in a Cabinet Office framework for a multibillion-pound compensation scheme.

More than 30,000 NHS patients were infected with hepatitis C and HIV between the 1970s and early 1990s through transfusions or blood products.

A report acknowledged the scandal “could largely have been avoided” and was then covered up for years.

The Government has now confirmed support payments, including for bereaved partners, will continue for life.

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Those used in unethical research at a Hampshire school will get an additional £10,000, while children treated at Lord Mayor Treloar College, where tainted blood was used in a shocking case of medical misconduct, will receive £15,000.

Paymaster General Nick Thomas-Symonds called this an “important milestone” for victims, pledging to deliver compensation quickly and ensure this never happens again.

He said: "We know no amount of compensation can fully address the damage to people who suffered as a result of this scandal. This is why alongside the compensation, we must drive forward the wider cultural changes to make sure nothing like this ever happens again."

Full costings for the scheme will be revealed in the Budget.

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Jason Evans, the director of Factor 8, a campaign group for victims, said: “Compensation for those impacted by the infected blood scandal has taken far too long and too many have died waiting.

"Today, the picture of what compensation might look like has become clearer, and now it must be delivered.”