Robin Swann

On 25 March 2021 Mr Swann announced plans for a number of reforms to the NI Scheme to bring it into greater alignment with the financial support provided in England, Scotland and Wales.

He said: “Earlier this year I announced plans for improved financial support for those infected and/or affected by contaminated blood. I am delighted to confirm that all eligible beneficiaries on the Northern Ireland Scheme have now received backdated arrears. In addition, bereaved beneficiaries, who were themselves infected, will receive annual payments for being both infected and bereaved.”

Payments included increased lump sums for those who became infected with Hepatitis C and HIV as a result of treatment with NHS-supplied contaminated blood as well as improved annual financial support for bereaved spouses and partners.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in England has committed to funding of up to £4.5m for the additional lump sum payments and the increases to annual payments for beneficiaries of all the UK infected blood support schemes up to and including 2021/22.

Mr Swann continued: “For Scheme beneficiaries who have sadly passed away and who were not survived by a spouse or partner, the £10,000 bereavement lump sum has been paid to their estate.”

In addition to the improved lump sums and annual payments to the bereaved, minister Swann also decided to introduce enhanced financial support for scheme beneficiaries with Hepatitis C stage 1 whose infection or treatment is considered to have a substantial and long-term adverse impact on their ability to carry out routine daily activities.

The minister said: “A targeted consultation will shortly commence to help determine the most appropriate away to assess eligibility for enhanced financial support for Hepatitis C stage 1. It is important that this new policy is developed in partnership with those infected and/ or affected.

“Regardless of which assessment model is applied to the Northern Ireland Scheme, the payment will be the same across all four nations and in line with the rate paid on the English scheme.

“I remain committed to doing everything I can to ensure those infected and/or affected by contaminated blood continue to get the support they need and deserve in recognition of the devastating impact this has had on their lives.”

As part of the parity agreement, UK health ministers agreed that any future changes to national schemes will be subject to consultation between the UK Government and devolved administrations.