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Northern Ireland increases payments for infected blood beneficiaries

The Department of Health for Northern Ireland has announced that it will increase the annual payments made to the beneficiaries of the Infected Blood Payment Scheme.

Under the Northern Ireland Infected Blood Payment Scheme, individuals diagnosed with hepatitis C or HIV after receiving NHS-supplied infected blood or blood products receive annual payments from the government. The increase in payments ranging from £18,745 to just under £45,000 (as per diagnosis) will bring Northern Ireland’s payment rates on par with England, where payments were revised in April 2019. The increased payments are likely to continue into future years.

A written confirmation of the revised payments will be communicated to the beneficiaries in the coming weeks. Additionally, the government is planning to conduct a survey of all scheme beneficiaries in Northern Ireland to get feedback on the financial as well as psychological support provided to them. The survey findings will identify any additional reform needed for the scheme.

Health Minister Robin Swann said: "It is my sincere hope that this increased financial support, representing an additional annual funding commitment of £1.1 million by my Department, provides ongoing financial certainty for a group of people who have suffered tremendously."


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