THS representatives at 2023 party political conferences

Written by Sam Wilson, October 2, 2023

We are at the major party political conferences this year to highlight the treatment and care needs of people living with a bleeding disorder and the pressing issues raised by the Infected Blood Inquiry.  

Our Policy Lead, Jeff Courtney, is at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester this week where he will be taking every opportunity to highlight the subjects that are important to you, our members.  

High on that list is the payment of full compensation for people infected and affected by the contaminated blood scandal. The Infected Blood Inquiry has already recommended that a compensation scheme is set up as soon as possible and we will be looking for support in making that happen.  

We often send some of our team to party conferences as they are a good chance to try to influence the policy development process and understand the plans of government and other political parties.  

With a general election expected next year, this is a crucial time to try to secure commitments from the Labour party too, who could potentially form the next government. Jeff will be joined by our Chair, Clive Smith at Labour’s conference in Liverpool next week, where he will be speaking at an event on how to address the workforce issues in the NHS.  

They also hope to meet Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting again to continue our conversation on ensuring quality and accountability for the specialised NHS services our members rely on. This will also be a chance for us to talk to Labour MPs, shadow minsters and other staff about their plans for the NHS, how we ensure people with bleeding disorders get the best treatment and care and other issues affecting our members including the contaminated blood scandal and the fight for compensation and justice. We will be asking Labour for a firm commitment that it will pay full compensation to those infected and affected by contaminated blood and blood products if it forms the next government.  

We’ll be posting updates from the conferences as they happen and what they might mean for the future of treatment and care for people with bleeding disorders. 

Some of the costs of attending party conferences this year are being covered by Roche/Chugai.