A former sub-postmaster whose father died from HIV after he was treated with infected blood has urged the Government to consider making interim payments after learning it will be next year before he receives any compensation.
Dave Farry welcomed the Government’s announcement on the scheme, which has been informed by recommendations from Sir Robert Francis KC following the conclusion of the Infected Blood Inquiry led by Sir Brian Langstaff.
The 61-year-old, from Ferryhill, lost his father, John, who was treated with contaminated transfusions on the NHS for haemophilia, at the age of 52 in 1985.
Mr Farry, who also lost his Post Office businesses as a result of the Horizon scandal, will be entitled to inherit compensation paid to his father’s estate once it goes through probate and to a separate payment as a person affected.
He should receive both payments by the end of next year, but has urged the Government to make interim payments.
Dave said: “It is hard to digest it all, but I’m pleased the Government has taken on board the previous work that has been carried out, and clarifying one or two points has been important.
“But the problem remains the same. Infected and affected people are still waiting for money to be released.
“There is no reason why interim payments to affected people in particular can’t be made within weeks, especially those that are already registered with the schemes.
“It would take a lot of stress and heartache and mental torture we have all be going through away.”
Mr Farry said his father and his family were subjected to cruel taunts when news of his diagnosis became known due to prejudiced attitudes and ignorance of HIV in the early 80s.
He said although progress is being made slowly, not knowing how much he will receive or when means he feels "very much in the dark’"
Dave said: “It still does not take away the trauma and upset for people and delaying it just prolongs that trauma and upset.
“There is nothing concrete here. That is the problem.
“The carrot is being dangled and everyone wants to grab hold of it but then someone whips it away with a motorbike and it is away down the road.
“You are in the lap of the Gods.”
In his report, Sir Robert found: “The overall framework is the result of a genuine attempt to achieve in the time available details of a scheme which aligns in spirit with the recommendations in my framework report and Sir Brian’s recommendations arising out of that.
“It provides a credible means of offering significant - and in many cases - lifechanging sums to persons infected and affected by this terrible scandal.”
The Government is accepting the overall majority of the 74 recommendations Sir Robert Francis KC gave.
The compensation scheme will now be established formally in regulations, which sets the scheme in law.
This will be done in two sets.
The first set, laid ahead of August 24, 2024, will give the Infected Blood Compensation Authority the powers to pay compensation through the core route to the infected, both living and deceased.
The Government expects the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to begin making payments by the end of this year.
The second set will establish a compensation scheme for people who are affected, and for those claiming compensation under the supplementary route.
This will ensure that the IBCA can begin compensation payments to the affected in 2025.
This set of regulations will be laid as quickly as is practicably possible, when Parliamentary time allows.
“The Government has listened to the recommendations from Sir Robert Francis KC, heard the strong calls for change from the community and acted.
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“We are going to do everything possible to deliver compensation quickly, and in many cases deliver life-changing sums to people infected and affected by this scandal.
“We know no amount of compensation can fully address the damage to people who suffered as a result of this scandal.
“This is why alongside the compensation, we must drive forward the wider cultural changes to make sure nothing like this ever happens again.”
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