The government’s decision to restrict compensation payments to people infected with hepatitis C from contaminated blood transfusions has been described as “sadly lacking in understanding and compassion”.
"It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that humanitarian impulses have come a bad second to Treasury constraints."
Frank Maguire, Senior Partner of Thompsons Solicitors, successfully represented hepatitis C victims in gaining a landmark judgment ruling that Scottish Ministers breached the European Convention of Human Rights by refusing to hold public inquiries into the deaths of two victims of Hepatitis C who contracted the disease through infected blood transfusions by the NHS.
Mr. Maguire continues to campaign for victims of Hepatitis C and echoed Lord Archer’s sentiment:
“Lord Archer of Sandwell and his independent inquiry have been largely ignored. As it stands, nearly 2000 people have died as a result of exposure to infected blood products, yet the government continues to offer only paltry compensation payments, a fraction of those awarded in other EU countries such as Ireland.”
The government has said it will increase the levels of compensation available to those who had contracted HIV as a result of tainted blood products.
