New infected blood psychological support service launched

Written by Jessica Bomford, June 10, 2025

A dedicated psychological support service for people infected and affected by contaminated blood and blood products in England has been launched today.

The Infected Blood Psychological Service (IBPS) is a new NHS service which will operate from 16 hospital trusts across England. People infected and affected, including bereaved partners, parents, children, and their extended families can refer themselves to the service by phoning 0300 131 0444.

Anyone eligible will be offered a comprehensive psychological review with a psychologist or psychological therapist with specialist expertise in issues facing those infected or affected by contaminated blood or blood products. A tailored mental health care plan will then be made.

As part of the service, patients will be able to access virtual peer support forums to connect with others who have been infected or affected, as well as the option of regional in-person networks where capacity allows.

Kate Burt, Chief Executive of the Haemophilia Society, said: ‘This service is long overdue and much needed. The psychological burden of living with the trauma of the contaminated blood scandal for so many decades has been immense and, until now, the support on offer in England has been completely inadequate.

‘The Infected Blood Inquiry has brought past suffering to the surface again and it is vital that those infected and their families have easy access to specialist, bespoke psychological support. The Haemophilia Society has worked with NHS England to support the set-up of the new service, emphasising the need for clinical psychologists to understand the unique and complex circumstances of those impacted by infected blood. We are hopeful that the new service will provide the specialist, compassionate psychological support this community desperately needs.’

The telephone line is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. You will be asked by a ‘navigator’ for some personal details and then be referred to the most appropriate local site, who will contact you to explain what happens next.

A bespoke psychological service already exists in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Previously in England, people in need of support had to find their own therapist and then claim the cost back from the England Infected Blood Support Scheme. This process was often a barrier to finding the right support.

The IBPS will be based in 16 hospital trusts and are linked to the haemophilia centres, although clinics will not necessarily take place in the centres, or in some cases the hospital. The trusts are:

  • Barts Health NHS Trust 
  • Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
  • East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust 
  • Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust 
  • Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
  • Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 
  • Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
  • Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust 
  • Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
  • Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust 
  • Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
  • The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
  • University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust 
  • University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust 
  • University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust 
  • University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.

Claire Murdoch, NHS National Mental Health Director, said: ‘The contaminated blood scandal and the subsequent long fight for answers have had life-altering physical and psychological impacts for thousands across the country and the NHS is determined to ensure that anyone infected or affected can receive evidence-based and timely support and treatment.

‘It has been so important that the Infected Blood Psychological Service has been co-designed with members of the infected blood community to ensure the best and most personalised care possible, and we are very grateful to all our partners who have helped establish these vital new services.’

The service began on a trial basis in September 2024 and has so far been used by 150 people. People will be able to refer themselves using the IBPS website, but this service is not yet available. People can also be referred to the service by their GP or other specialist services.

    If you have any feedback about the service, contact us at [email protected]