Victims of the Infected Blood Scandal have been harmed further by compensation delays, a new report by the Infected Blood Inquiry chair has found today.
The report by Sir Brian Langstaff was commissioned after victims expressed distress and frustration at the handling of the compensation scheme to the inquiry.
"Once again decisions have been made behind closed doors leading to obvious injustices," wrote Sir Brian.
The Infected Blood Inquiry warned there has been a "repetition of the mistakes of the past" said the number of people who have been compensated to date is "profoundly unsatisfactory", calling for "faster and fairer" compensation for victims.
Sir Brian provided nine recommendations in total, including a proposal that victims should be able to apply for compensation, rather than have to be invited.
The "unrealistic" evidence requirement for people suffering psychological harm should also be scrapped, according to the review, as should the practice of a claim dying with the claimant.
Sir Brian also recommends the system ensures "as many people as possible receive some compensation in their lifetime".
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