Contaminated blood victim demands compensation clarity

A victim of the contaminated blood scandal is demanding clear guidelines on how compensation will be paid to infected individuals and their families.

Haemophilic David Thomas, from Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, contracted hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood aged 10.

One of 400 people affected from Wales, he only found out in 1993 - some 13 years later.

Mr Thomas, who is now clear of the infection, was also told in 2009 that he had a significant liver disease as a result.

“I want there to be clear guidelines as to how compensation will be allocated and if it will be means tested," said Mr Thomas, whose cousin Lee died of liver failure, having been similarly infected with hepatitis C as a child.

"The feeling is they are setting up a board which will monitor the compensation and make decisions against which it’s going to be difficult to appeal, which isn’t in the spirit of the report (behind it).

"It’s far from what the inquiry is suggesting would be fair."

On Monday, the chairman of the long-awaited public-inquiry, Sir Brian Langstaff, said now was the time for “proper compensation” and vindication for all those who have been wronged.

In 2022, an independent report by Sir Robert Francis recommended compensation for victims irrespective of the findings of public inquiry.

The UK government said at the time that it accepted the moral case for compensation and it made payments of £100,000 to 4,000 people who had been infected.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “We will pay comprehensive compensation to those infected and those affected by this scandal, accepting the principles recommended by the inquiry which builds on the work of Sir Robert Francis.

"Whatever it costs to deliver this scheme, we will pay it.”

Tony Summers, who lost his son in 2008, said he would want any compensation for his family to go to his son’s widow and daughter.

Paul Summers died at the age of 44 having contracted HIV after being given contaminated blood in his teens.

“As far as parents and siblings are concerned, it’s never occurred to us that degree of compensation would be considered," said Mr Summers.

"My main concern is that they tell us where the fault lay, who caused the problems and that this can never happen again.

“As far as compensation goes, that can’t bring Paul back."

The Welsh government’s Health Minister Eluned Morgan said it would work with the UK government to ensure Welsh beneficiaries and their families are recompensed in keeping with the inquiry’s interim report on compensation.

Further details on the UK government’s “comprehensive compensation” promise to those both infected and affected are expected on Tuesday.