Infected Blood Inquiry recommendations ‘light at end of tunnel’ for survivors

Survivors have welcomed a recommendation by Infected Blood Inquiry chair Sir Brian Langstaff to extend reparations to bereaved parents and children.

Thousands of people were infected with HIV and hepatitis after being injected with contaminated blood between 1970 and 1991 (Tom Eden/PA) (PA Archive)

Victims of the infected blood scandal have said the extension of their compensation scheme is a “light at the end of the tunnel” after living through a “horror film” for the past 40 years.

Survivors have welcomed a recommendation by Infected Blood Inquiry chair Sir Brian Langstaff to extend reparations to bereaved parents and children, rather than victims and widowers only, and people infected with hepatitis B.

Thousands of people were infected with HIV and hepatitis after being injected with contaminated blood between 1970 and 1991 in what has been described as the “biggest treatment disaster in the NHS”.