Richard was in Central Hall, Westminster, on Monday afternoon to hear directly remarks from Sir Brian Langstaff at the conclusion of his inquiry into the Contaminated Blood Scandal.
Richard Fuller MP said:
Sir Brian did not pull his punches as he detailed the decades long injustice, incompetence and failures of the NHS and successive governments.
And Sir Brian was clear that he will keep open his enquiry until the government has responded clearly on what actions it will now take.
Sir Brian was clinical and clear but he readily understood the deep emotions this scandal has aroused. He asked those present to applaud - not him for his work - but for each of those who had shared their experiences, their loss and the consequences from this monumental failure of the British state.
Richard has long been campaigning for compensation to those affected by the contaminated blood scandal. To find out more please read here and here.
On Friday 24th May, the Victims and Prisoners Bill was granted Royal Assent, creating a new arm’s length body called the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA).
Before the IBCA can make final payments, the government will need to make the regulations to enact the compensation scheme for victims of the Infected Blood scandal. The legislation also means that the final regulations must be made by the government - within three months, so by 24 August 2024.
The Prime Minister delivered a state apology on the 20th of May, in response to the publication of the Infected Blood Inquiry report.
The Minister for the Cabinet Office outlined the government’s commitment to deliver compensation on the 21st of May in the House, alongside a proposed compensation scheme.
The government will continue to deliver interim payments, including the £210,000 announced on the 21st of May, to those living with an infection, starting in this summer, and within 90 days as of the 20th of May as announced by the government.
The Department for Health and Social Care has received the advance of £837 million to fund the interim payments. These payments will be made by the NHS Business Services Authority and equivalent organisations.
The IBCA is led by Interim Chair Sir Robert Francis KC. Sir Robert will continue engagement with the Infected Blood community in the coming weeks. The interim CEO of the IBCA has been in place for some weeks.
The Lord’s amendments to the Victims and Prisoners Bill were considered in the House of Commons on Friday as part of the ‘wash up’ process ahead of the general election period starting on Saturday 25 May. In addition, a statutory duty to review candour laws by the 1st of January 2025 has been included in the Act. The Inquiry recommended that due consideration be made of a duty of candour across Government.
Ahead of the report's conclusions on Monday, Richard recorded this message: https://youtu.be/L7iXxZMtmDY?si=oM61089t4f4c76l3
