Widow of Hartlepool man who died in infected blood scandal fights for equal payments

Carol Grayson is a leading campaigner on the issue after at least 2,400 people lost their lives after being given infected blood products in the 1970s and 1980s.

They included her husband Peter Longstaff from Hartlepool who died in 2005 aged 47 after contracting hepatitis C and HIV from contaminated blood.

A public inquiry into the scandal began last year but hearings have now been been put on hold until September following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Carol, of Haemophilia Action UK who is due to give evidence at the inquiry, said she is using the pause to step up calls to the Government for equal payments for victims and their families.

Monthly payments are made to people and family members of those who were infected with hepatitis C and/or HIV from NHS blood or blood products by the England Infected Blood Support Scheme.

But Carol says family payments differ greatly in England compared to Scotland.

She said: “If I was a widow just a short distance over the border I would get three quarters of what my husband would have got had he been alive.

“However, in England I’m means tested and receive thousands a year less.

“It’s immoral and wrong. We’re fighting for everyone to be on a higher level and match the best possible scheme within the UK.”

Carol, 59, who is originally from Hartlepool and now lives in Newcastle, attended a meeting with MPs and top civil servants at The Cabinet Office in January.

She says former Prime Minister Theresa May committed to bring about greater parity support payment schemes last June, but there has been no progress since.

And she said many people affected are struggling financially during the lockdown as many fall into the vulnerable category and cannot leave the house.

Carol, who suffers from asthma and diabetes, added: “This is the most pressing thing at the moment for the haemophiliac community.”

The Cabinet Office said: “Ministers have committed to looking at these issues carefully and will be reporting back on where progress has been made as soon as possible.”

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