Infected Blood Scandal: MS demands compensation for Cwm Tawe sisters

MS DEMANDS COMPENSATION FOR CWM TAWE SISTERS

“Families affected by the infected blood scandal must be awarded nothing less than the full support of the Welsh Government to achieve the justice they deserve” – Sioned Williams MS

Sioned Williams MS, Member of Senedd for South Wales West has called for Welsh Government to back calls for compensation for families affected by the infected blood scandal.

Ms Williams was speaking in a Senedd debate on the Infected Blood Inquiry Report and shared the testimony of Rhian and Sharon from the Swansea Valley, whose father Arwyn Davies died in 1992 aged 60 years.

It was only after their mother’s death 26 years later than the sisters discovered their father died of Hepatitis C, Hepatoma and Haemophilia.

Mr Davies was a haemophiliac who was under the care of Professor Arthur Bloom, the Welsh haemophiliac specialist named in Sir Brian Langstaff’s damning report into the infected blood scandal.

His daughters, Sharon and Rhian, had a “long and distressing battle” to obtain medical records relating to their father, but eventually obtained proof that their father was given contaminated blood products.

In all that time, no contact was made to inform any of the family of the risks they had been made subject to, or to inform them that they were entitled to any benefit payments.

Sioned Williams MS, Plaid Cymru Member of Senedd for South Wales West, said:

“To date, children who lost a parent, like Rhian and Sharon, have never been provided with any compensation or recognition of their parent’s deaths. They haven’t even received a letter of apology from their local health board.

“It is unjustifiable, when people such as Rhian and Sharon’s mother, Eira, suffered and endured financial hardship and ill health with no financial support following the death of their father. The unique circumstances of each family affected must be considered, recognised and fairly and equally compensated without further delay. It’s not only morally right, it’s also a symbol of the apology that is rightly owed by the state to those impacted by this scandal, and those whose whole lives have been scarred by loss and by lies.

“While it’s too late for their parents, children like Sharon and Rhian must be awarded nothing less than the full support of the Welsh Government to achieve the justice and redress they deserve. Welsh Government must also ensure that support is provided to all families who suffered the devastating consequences of the infected blood scandal, and that all those currently living with haemophilia, like Arwyn’s grandson, are provided with the best support possible by public services.”