Jenny Willott, the Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central, has today welcomed the announcement by Welsh Assembly Government Minister, Edwina Hart AM, confirming that WAG will increase payments to Welsh victims of the Contaminated Blood Scandal in line with support for English victims announced by the Westminster Government earlier this year.
In January the Department of Health announced plans to increase payments to people who contracted Hepatitis C as a result of being given contaminated blood products by the NHS during the 1970s and 80s. However, the plans only applied to England, and Welsh victims have had to wait to see if WAG would match the scheme.
Today’s announcement will mean a doubling of the one-off payments made to people who suffer the worst effects of Hepatitis C and increases in the annual payments to Hepatitis C victims in line with payments already made to those who contracted HIV.
Commenting, Jenny, who earlier this year wrote to Edwina Hart AM urging action in Wales, said:
“This is a really positive announcement and I am relieved that Welsh victims will receive the same level of support as English victims.
“These payments will make a real difference to people who have contracted Hepatitis C due to the contaminated blood scandal. This is not the end of the road but it is a major step forward.
“Wales, England and Scotland are now all signed up to the new increased payments so it is vital that payments are now made to victims as soon as possible.”
