elatives of victims of the NHS contaminated blood scandal are handy in a letter to Downing Street telling Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that “action is needed now” to arrange a physique to provide full compensation.

It comes amid complaints the Government is dragging its heels over compensation funds and forward of Mr Sunak and Chancellor and former well being secretary Jeremy Hunt giving proof to the Infected Blood Inquiry this month.

Jason Evans, 33, was 4 years previous when his father Jonathan, a 31-year-old carpenter from Coventry, died after being contaminated with hepatitis C and HIV.

Mr Evans, who will probably be amongst those that will hand within the letter addressed to Mr Sunak on Monday, mentioned that having to personally carry their issues to Whitehall “totally compounds the trauma and grief” of the survivors and bereaved households who fought for an inquiry and have seen widespread recognition that compensation ought to be paid.

He instructed PA news company: “We need action to happen now because people are dying, not just people infected but the bereaved families as well.

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“We know that 380 children were infected with HIV, many of those died in childhood, and their parents are now in their 80s.

“We know of people who have died only recently.

“People are dying without seeing any acknowledgement.”

The inquiry was established in 2017 to look at how hundreds of sufferers within the UK had been contaminated with HIV and hepatitis C by means of contaminated blood merchandise within the Seventies and Nineteen Eighties.

About 2,400 individuals died in what has been labelled the worst remedy catastrophe within the historical past of the NHS.

Inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff mentioned in April that he was taking the bizarre step of publishing the advice forward of the publication of the complete report into the scandal in order that victims wouldn't face any extra delays.

Under the preliminary scheme victims themselves or bereaved companions can obtain an interim cost of round £100,000.

The letter reminds Mr Sunak that, whereas he was working final 12 months to turn into the Conservative Party chief, he mentioned he would make sure the interim compensation funds advisable by Sir Brian Langstaff are paid at once.

The letter notes that Mr Sunak mentioned on the time: “The contaminated blood scandal is a tragic injustice and we must now match words with action, just as we did with those affected by the Thalidomide scandal.

“Survivors and their families need to have certainty now …”

The relations and survivors need motion on interim funds to be made in respect of “deaths not yet recognised”.

This covers a spread of relationships together with the single dad and mom of deceased youngsters  and likewise youngsters who had been orphaned when each of their dad and mom died.

The inquiry has advisable the federal government set up an arms size compensation physique now and positively earlier than the ultimate report within the autumn.

The letter states: “This delay denies victims and their families any sense of tangible progress.

“Many continue to die without full redress, this can not be right.

“The interim payment for deaths not yet recognised is critical.

“These payments are not just about compensation, they symbolise acknowledgement and the represent initial recognition of each life lost.”

Mr Sunak has beforehand mentioned the Government will anticipate the complete report into the contaminated blood scandal earlier than contemplating whether or not to increase the compensation scheme for victims.

Mr Sunak will give proof to the inquiry on July 26 and Mr Hunt is because of seem on July 28.

Commons Leader and former paymaster common Penny Mordaunt will seem on July 24, with present Paymaster General Jeremy Quin on the inquiry the next day.

The ministers will give proof on the Government’s response to the usage of contaminated blood and the query of compensation.

The chairman of the inquiry has mentioned that an interim compensation scheme ought to be widened so extra individuals, together with orphaned youngsters and oldsters who misplaced youngsters, could possibly be compensated.

Mr Evans, director of marketing campaign group Factor 8, mentioned: “The transparency has never been there from the beginning, it is probably the main thing that makes it a scandal.

“Despite the Government’s warm words we may not get that transparency even now – that is the fear.

“The transparency we would like to have is with the various ministers who are giving evidence next week to say `this is what we have been doing, these are the recommendations we are prepared to accept and this is the timetable for when it is going to happen’.

“We would like just some clear answers rather than the line that  they give which is `we are working at pace’.”