Worcester MP Robin Walker intervened in the recent Parliamentary debate on the Infected Blood Inquiry to raise the case of his constituent who lost two family members to the scandal.
Following the incidents within the NHS in the 1970s and 1980s, the Government apologised for the failings within the NHS that caused the infection of the victims and in 2017 announced a statutory public inquiry into the scandal. Tens of thousands of people across the country continue to be directly affected by these infected blood transfusions or live with the grief of losing family members because of it.
Speaking in the debate, Robin pointed to legislation which had established compensation for the victims and survivors in Northern Ireland asking him;
“to bear in mind the precedent of the victims legislation that we put through this house in a single day for victims in Northern Ireland, a very complex issue also engaging with devolved issues, but one where we are able to make progress on that, and really to do everything he can to expedite the compensation that victims need.”
Following the publication of the first interim report, the Government paid an interim compensation amount of £100,000 to those infected and their bereaved partners. While Robin and many other MPs were pleased by this initial payment, it is clear that in order to reduce the anxieties of the victims more must be done, hence Robin’s question to the Minister. The Minister responded by saying;
“I wasn’t aware of the legislation to which my honourable friend refers. I would hope that if a conclusion can be brought to bare in terms of compensation, if it requires legislation, and space is found for that legislation this would have the support of the House to seek a resolution; and I think today’s debate proves there are so many honourable members who are keen to bring this to a conclusion when that is possible to do.”
Going forward, Robin will continue to raise the case of his constituent to ensure that justice is done and compensation is paid to those affected by this scandal, as soon as possible.