Campaigners: government psychological counselling for infected blood victims “beyond ironic”
A service to provide psychological counselling to people infected with contaminated blood and their families is to start early this summer the government has said.
©Jason Evans. Jason was 4 years old when his father Jonathan died after being treated with infected Factor 8 for haemophilia
Thousands of people died after being given contaminated blood products by the NHS in the 1970s and 80s.
Paymaster General John Glen told MPs in December the service should go live in early summer 2024 and will be “tailored to meet the unique needs of infected and affected individuals”.
He also said the Government are “urgently appointing clinical, legal and social care experts to advise the Cabinet Office on detailed technical considerations early in the new year, which will ensure that the Government have the relevant expertise to make informed choices in responding to the inquiry’s recommendations on compensation.”
In April 2023 the chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry Sir Brian Langstaff called for interim compensation to be paid as soon as possible. Many of those affected are still waiting.
One of the leading campaigners, Jason Evans, whose father died when he was a child said: “It is beyond ironic that the Cabinet Office announced they intend to set up a contaminated blood psychological support service, next year, to deal with the trauma that they themselves are creating and compounding by delaying blood inquiry recommendations.”
Dr Julie Hannan, a chartered psychologist and psychotherapist who works with victims of the contaminated blood scandal said: “The effects can be all-consuming because life has to be navigated around the effects of the contamination and subsequent illnesses and restrictions including personal, social, financial and practical.” Dr Hannan says those affected have told her “The ripple effects of the illness also impact other family members such as loss of mobility, loss of life and loss of wellbeing.”
Many of those affected say they are angry and bitter at the lack of a formal apology. They report feeling a lack of confidence and difficulties finding a partner and holding down a job.
Dr Hannan says “Psychological therapy could provide a space to acknowledge and mourn the loss of the life which will never be lived due to the contamination, enable victims to mourn the loss of self and wellness and encourage self-compassion.”
The Government say they are also urgently appointing clinical, legal and social care experts to advise the Cabinet Office on detailed technical considerations which will ensure that the Government have the relevant expertise to make informed choices in responding to the inquiry’s recommendations on compensation.
Listen the podcast INFECTED BLOOD SCANDAL: Jason Evans and Des Collins Discuss the Compensation Chaos.
Resources:
www.drjuliehannan.com
www.factor8scandal.uk
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How do I know if I was given infected blood?
