Please find past Newsletters below
WIBSS Newsletter December 2023
WIBSS Newsletter September 2023
WIBSS Newsletter December 2022
WIBSS Newsletter September 2022
WIBSS Newsletter November 2021
WIBSS Newsletter December 2020
Annual WIBSS Report
NEWS
Infected Blood Inquiry
The planned publication of the Infected Blood Inquiry Final Report has been delayed until March 2024. The full statement is available online.
Publication of the Inquiry Report news story
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.
INFECTED BLOOD COMPENSATION STUDY PROCESS STATEMENT
IBCS Next Steps Process Statement
Update on Financial Parity
On 25 March, the government announced changes to the Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme (WIBSS). The changes announced remove some of the differences between the Infected Blood Support Schemes across the UK.
WIBSS Parity Update 19th AUGUST 2021
Having received the Revised Directions from Welsh Government, which came into force on Monday 16th August, WIBSS have now implemented the revised rates announced in the Parity Agreement of 25th March. This includes backdated payments which should be in your bank account by Monday 23rd August. If you have not received it by close of play on Monday, please let us know.
Please find a link to the revised Directions here – The Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme (Amendment) Directions 2021 | GOV.WALES
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/