CONTAMINATED blood victims expressed confusion and anger after the government announced changes to a multibillion-pound compensation plan today.
Paymaster General and Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said survivors of the biggest treatment disaster in NHS history will get life-long support with up to £15,000 extra for those subjected to “unethical” research.
Payouts under the scheme will start by the end of the year for survivors and by next year for affected people such as family members under a second set of regulations.
Mr Thomas-Symonds said the total estimate of the cost of scandal compensation will be set out in the Budget red book, with more than £1 billion had already been paid out.
“We know no amount of compensation can fully address the damage to people who suffered as a result of this scandal,” he said.
The £15,000 payout was, however, branded as “derisory and insulting” and a “kick in the teeth” by a victim who was infected with HIV and other viruses while subjected to unethical medical testing at a specialist school.
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