South Down MP Margaret Ritchie (SDLP) has spoken in the House of Commons on the issue of contaminated blood, highlighting the needs of NI victims and their families.
She said: “Over the last forty years, the contaminated blood scandal has touched many lives across Britain and Ireland. Throughout my time as MP for South Down, I have worked to put this issue on the agenda and push the Department of Health to give victims and their families the support they need.
“Currently many victims of contaminated blood in Northern Ireland are able to access discretionary charities that operate throughout Britain and Northern Ireland. However, after the forthcoming introduction of a new scheme in England for victims, these discretionary charities will close. The Department of Health in Northern Ireland has not yet announced any equivalent scheme for the North. This will leave many victims and their families without any support.
“Regular payments must be in place and access to discretionary grants must be available to all those infected and their families.
“I also call on both the British Government and the NI Executive to follow the example set by the Irish Government in acknowledging their responsibility for the illness caused by contaminated blood transfusions. Only full transparency and accountability can prevent this tragic accident from happening again.”
