The 2nd Interim Report of the Infected Blood Inquiry was published on 5th April 2023.  Please see the link below.

 

                            Second Interim Report published | Infected Blood Inquiry

 

The Welsh Government has welcomed the inquiry’s interim report and will consider it carefully.  They will work closely with the UK Government and the other devolved administrations to take forward the development of a compensation scheme.

The Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme will continue to provide regular payments and support to people infected with HIV or Hepatitis C and their families.

 

 

TITLE

Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme (WIBSS) introduction of child payments
DATE 06 December 2022
BY Eluned Morgan MS, Minister for Health and Social Services

I am pleased to inform Members about additional support for people infected with hepatitis C and/or HIV via contaminated blood or blood products. The significant impact on their lives, and their families, has been extensively discussed in the Senedd.

I have agreed to introduce a discretionary child payment, which builds on the ex-gratia payments currently made by the Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme (WIBSS) on our behalf. This will be paid annually, from January 2023, at the rate of £3,000 for a first child and £1,200 for the second and each subsequent child.

The payment is intended for the care and support of a child/children, who are either the biological child or form part of the household of an of an infected beneficiary – this can be an adopted child/children or the child/children of a partner of an infected beneficiary with whom they live. This can be claimed by the infected beneficiary, bereaved beneficiary or the primary care provider of a child/children of an infected beneficiary (that is someone who is not a beneficiary but are responsible for the support of a child/children of an infected beneficiary for whom they are caring for).

The payment will continue until the recommendations of the Infected Blood Inquiry are known and have been considered by all four UK health departments.

WIBSS will write to all beneficiaries with details of the eligibility criteria and application process.

Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme – WIBSS

Established in October 2017, the Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme (WIBSS) aims to provide support to people who have been infected with Hepatitis C and/or HIV as a result of NHS treatment with blood, blood products or tissue in Wales.

WIBSS has taken over from the UK previous schemes (Eileen Trust, Macfarlane Trust, MFET Ltd, Skipton Fund and Caxton Foundation) and aims to provide both a streamlined financial payment service, a Welfare Advice Service and a Psychology and Well-being service for Welsh beneficiaries and their families.

Welsh Government provide Directions and Regulations that WIBSS follow, all Directions and Regulation amendments can be found here.

Welsh Government has notified WIBSS of the revised rates for 2022-2023.  This rate will be applicable from 1st April 2022.  To see the revised rates, please click here. 

The Minister for Health remains committed to addressing the remaining disparities across the schemes.  She has therefore, agreed to the introduction of the Winter Fuel Payment (currently £544) to those on our scheme that are bereaved spouses/partners.  This payment will be made before the end of this financial year (31st March 2022).  In future years it will be paid in the October.

 

Please click the link to access the current Customer Satisfaction Survey Report for WIBSS.

 

COVID-19

The WIBSS service provision may be impacted by Coronavirus.  We will obviously strive to ensure regular payments continue to be paid to you; provision of advice and support is still available; and any disruption is kept to a minimum.  Please bear with us during these exceptional circumstances.

During the current pandemic we are complying with the Welsh Government guidance and a number of our staff are working from home. If your call is not answered immediately, please leave a message with your name and a contact number and we will get back to you promptly.

You can also contact the WIBSS Manager Mary Swiffen-Walker on 07970 601561 during office hours.

For advice and guidance on the virus, please click on the links below –

https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/

https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Topic | GOV.WALES

https://www.bhiva.org/SARS-CoV-2-vaccine-advice-for-adults-living-with-HIV-plain-english-version

https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/update-for-people-with-liver-disease-on-the-covid-19-vaccine/

https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/immunisation-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccination-information/