Shame on you England

It isn't often I am angered by things but the news this morning that survivors of those unfortunate souls let down by the NHS when treated with contaminated blood product, Factor VIII, would be offered significantly reduced compensation, made my blood boil.

In the late 70's and early 80's those suffering from haemophilia were treated with this contaminated blood product and as a direct result of these treatments, contracted Hepatitis C and HIV.

For many years those affected had been calling for a public enquiry into how, even when problems with the treatment were suspected, the offending treatments were continued. Some 4,670 were later diagnosed with hepatitis C, while around 1,200 also contracted HIV Many did not survive long enough to be treated with the modern medicines that would have prolonged their lives.

And although David Cameron offered an apology in 2015 (some ask what exactly he was apologising for), news today that a new proposal is for widows in England and Northern Ireland to receive a one off compensation payment of £10,000 leaving many of them worse off than they currently are. In Scotland a widow will receive £27,750 a year for life. The Welsh scheme is also significantly more generous than the English and Northern Irish one.

Many of those affected by HIV would have lived lives of pariahs and some of the stories told of how they were shunned by friends and strangers alike once their afflictions were known, are heartbreaking. To financially punish their survivors now is abhorrent and unjust.

Come on England this is not our way - the crosses they bore were the fault of the health system and the sanctioned treatment administered.

We must ensure their loved ones are looked after appropriately - that is our way.

#FactorVIII #haemophilia #HIV #HepatitisC #NHS #DepartmentofHealth