Last week Lord Penrose made public findings from an investigation into contaminated blood within Scotland's NHS hospitals.

The Penrose Enquiry, launched in 2008, sought to ascertain the extent of damages caused to patients and their families and to ensure accountability for negligent practice which left thousands of NHS patients, many suffering from haemophilia, infected with Hepatitis C and HIV.

Cases of infection occurred across the 1970s and 1980s and many have expressed criticism concerning the length of time it took for an enquiry to be opened.

Large numbers of those affected have found it difficult to secure medical negligence compensation with many only learning of their infection several years' after the event – too late to make a compensation claim.

It was estimated that roughly 2,000 people have died as a result of receiving contaminated blood during treatment at NHS hospitals.

Further reports suggest that wives and husbands have also contracted diseases via their spouses, increasing the number of people affected indirectly.

Following the release of the report, Prime Minister David Cameron and Scottish Health Secretary Shona Robison issued an official apology to victims and their families which has led to calls for ‘proper compensation' for those affected.

The Prime Minister has promised to "try and improve the situation" for victims' and their families; however, The Telegraph reports that the government is unlikely to make a formal statement before this years' general election.

The Penrose Enquiry only concerns events which occurred in Scotland and there are now calls for a further report to be actioned in England.

Victims and their families' now await further response from the government as to whether they will finally be awarded the compensation they have waited decades to receive.