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Details of compensation for victims of the infected blood scandal are expected to be laid out in a report. Thousands of patients became infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. An independent inquiry into the scandal will publish a second interim report on Wednesday morning, setting out the framework for victim compensation.
He will refer to the recommendations of an independent report by Sir Robert Francis KC, who told ministers in June 2022 that victims should receive interim payments of at least £100,000.
The lives of our clients have been devastated and derailed by their exposure and that of their loved ones to infected blood products.
However, the report is expected to go into more detail beyond what Sir Robert has outlined, and will be broader than simply responding to the recommendations.
In 2017, then-Prime Minister Theresa May ordered a public inquiry into what she called "a appalling tragedy that simply should never have happened."
An estimated 2,400 patients died after becoming infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s.
Thousands of adults and around 380 children received infected blood products or transfusions during NHS treatment, according to the survey.
Most of those involved suffered from hemophilia, a blood clotting disorder, and were receiving injections of the American product Factor VIII.
In October 2022, the government said thousands of victims of the infected blood scandal would receive interim compensation of £100,000 by the end of the month.
The government said in January 2023 that interim awards of around £400m showed it accepted its "moral responsibility" to help victims.
Chaired by former High Court judge Sir Brian Langstaff, the inquiry looked into support given to patients after infection, consent issues and whether there was a cover-up.
Sir Robert said in his report that there would be a "strong moral case" for offering money to victims, regardless of any question of legal liability or fault, if certain criteria are met.
He previously said: "There are those who fear that they will not survive long enough to see, let alone enjoy, the fruits of compensation."
Sam Stein KC, who represents 23 people affected by infected blood or blood products, including loved ones who supported a terminally ill couple, told the Infected Blood Inquiry in February that they had "really been through the worst of times."
In the final findings of the inquiry, after almost four years of testimony heard across the UK, Stein said of the victims he represents: "Our clients have been infected, affected and killed by this scandal.
"Our clients' lives have been devastated and derailed by their exposure and that of their loved ones to infected blood products."
DHSC's written closing submissions to the investigation, dated December 16 of last year, said the department accepted that "things happened that shouldn't have happened" and that no statement made on its behalf should detract from its apology." without reservation."
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