Working as a Minister can feel like you are constantly fighting fires, and amidst the flames, you try to drive forward any positive change you can. But once in a while, you may have an opportunity to play some small role in addressing an historic wrong. 

For me, this opportunity came in 2017 during my time as a Health Minister, when I was able to announce on behalf of the government the independent inquiry into the infected blood scandal. Five years on from the launch of that inquiry, under former High Court judge Sir Brian Langstaff, we expect the findings to be released on 20th May. 

For those unaware, the infected blood scandal goes back to the 1970s and 1980s, when more than 30,000 NHS patients were treated with contaminated blood or contaminated clotting factors containing HIV and hepatitis viruses. Many were treated for haemophilia and other bleeding disorders, or were given blood transfusions after childbirth or surgery. Some of those victims unintentionally infected their partners, often due to being unaware of their own infection.

Over 3,000 people have died as a result of the infected blood scandal, of which 680 have died since the inquiry began in 2018.

Responding to the first interim report in October 2022, the Government rapidly implemented Sir Brian's recommendations to make interim compensation payments of £100,000 to those infected and bereaved partners, with total payments exceeding £400m. In doing so, the Government accepted the moral case for compensation, and acknowledged justice must be done for the victims.

Legislation is now being introduced to allow for interim payments of £100,000 to the estates of people who were infected with contaminated blood who have since died through amendments to the Victims and Prisoners Bill, currently going through the House of Lords.

The government has 25 days to respond to the inquiry’s findings, but after victims and their families have spent so long waiting, I am calling for the government to move as quickly as possible. It is tragic that so many people affected by contaminated blood have died without seeing justice. 

While I am pleased that the findings of the inquiry I announced for the government will be published before I step down as MP, the government is duty bound to deliver on its recommendations. I hope the government will act very swiftly in responding to the inquiry, and finally deliver appropriate compensation to victims and the families of those affected by this horrific scandal - the biggest in the history of the NHS.