Update on our meeting with compensation authority

Written by Jessica Bomford, October 2, 2024

The leaders of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) have acknowledged that the current ‘radio silence’ on how and when payments will be made has been ‘difficult’ for those waiting for information.

At a meeting on 1 October between representatives of the Haemophilia Society and IBCA, we emphasised that the current uncertainty was damaging and stressful for our members and that concrete information was needed quickly.

Kate Burt, our Chief Executive, and Conan McIlwrath, Chair-elect, met David Foley, interim IBCA Chief Executive and Sir Robert Francis, interim Chair, as well as other IBCA officials. They discussed concerns from our members about parts of the scheme which are considered to be unrepresentative of peoples’ suffering as well as widespread anxiety over lack of clarity about how compensation will be delivered.

Brian O’Mahony, Chief Executive of the Irish Haemophilia Society was also present. This was the first of several meetings IBCA has organised with charities and campaign groups.

Sir Robert acknowledged that the current information vacuum was ‘difficult’ for those waiting for news but said that the process of building the compensation scheme from scratch was complex and, while speed was important, it was also crucial it was done correctly.

Speaking after the meeting, Kate said: ‘This was a good and collaborative discussion. Although we share our members’ frustration at the lack of clarity about calculating and receiving payments, it is important that we do what we can to support IBCA in understanding where the main concerns lie.

‘Some serious concerns about the scheme remain and must be addressed, which we will be taking up with the government at the earliest opportunity.’

A representative from IBCA has agreed to attend our Big Get-Together annual conference on 16 November in Leicester where we will be holding a dedicated session on compensation. All members of the Haemophilia Society are welcome to attend the event. You can register here.

The main points to come out of the meeting were:

  • IBCA has no power to change tariffs or details of the compensation scheme
  • Changes to the scheme have to be made by ministers at the Cabinet Office
  • IBCA plans to have its website up and running within eight weeks
  • IBCA is in the process of appointing non-executive and executive directors
  • IBCA will organise a series of in-person roadshows around the UK to offer updates
  • First compensation payments are on track to be made by the end of 2024.

We have submitted a detailed document to IBCA setting out the areas of the scheme where we have received the most comment, such as the calculations of hepatitis C payments, the lack of compensation for adult siblings and a number of questions over the administration of estates, including the upcoming interim payment. We also said that issues such as the need for legal and financial support were regularly raised by our members and should be addressed by IBCA.

We will now be pressing for an urgent meeting with the Paymaster General, Nick Thomas-Symonds, who has ministerial responsibility for ensuring the compensation scheme is delivered. We will be setting out the key areas where the compensation scheme needs to be changed to ensure fairness and clarity for those infected and affected by the contaminated blood scandal.

You can contact us at [email protected]