Barbara is urging people affected by contaminated blood treatment by the NHS to have their say on Government proposals on the reform of financial and other support that is available to them.

In the 1970s and 1980s, thousands of people were treated with NHS blood or blood products which were later known to be contaminated with HIV or Hepatitis C. Although the numbers affected were small, they included almost all the community of people with haemophilia. Many people without bleeding disorders were also infected through blood transfusions. Contaminated blood completely changed the lives of those who were infected during NHS treatment at that time.

The Government has launched a 12-week consultation on their proposals for support for those affected. These include proposals for people whose blood was infected during the scandal to be assessed by their own doctor, to establish how much they should be awarded in an annual payment towards care and other costs. Other proposals are about potential treatments.

Barbara said:

“The contaminated blood scandal affected the lives and health of thousands of people and it is only right that the people affected by this tragedy receive the financial help and support they deserve. Progress to help those people affected so far has been too slow.

“I welcome the decision to consult on this issue. I want to encourage anyone in Salford who has been affected by contaminated blood to take part in the consultation and have their say on the support being proposed. People can comment online via the following link https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/infected-blood-reform-of-financial-and-other-support until 11.45pm on 15th April 2016 when the consultation closes. The consultation document can also be downloaded from the website: www.gov.uk.

“I will continue to call on the Government to take action on this issue, to ensure that justice is finally provided for those people who have had their health and their lives altered irreversibly by contaminated blood products.”