Infected Blood Inquiry doesn't go far enough, says High Wycombe woman
She contracted Hepatitis C and is outside of the cut off point for compensation claims
A woman from High Wycombe who contracted Hepatitis C decades ago is calling on the Infected Blood Inquiry to extend compensation for those outside of the bracket set by the government.
Thousands of patients were infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood and blood products in the 1970s and 1980s.
While it is unsure how many patients were given infected blood and how many of those have since found out, many are seeking compensation from the government in what has been dubbed the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.
Victoria Burley, from High Wycombe, told Greatest Hits Radio she is one of them.
She was taken to hospital following a fall in the summer of 1992, for which she needed an operation on the knee.
She was given several blood transfusions during the operation, and found out years later she was living with Hepatitis C.
She said: "It must have been 2005 or something like that, that's when I found out, and that was through just me having extremely bad dry skin."
"And I couldn't sleep at night, so I just went in and they took a blood test, and when I went back they said 'you've got hepatitis C'."
She has, since, experienced several health issues and complications.
While many are to be given compensation following the scandal, Ms Burley told us she was given a transfusion 11 months after the Inquiry's compensation cut-off point, and is therefore not eligible.
She said: "I would like the date cut-off changed, and I would like compensation for the children that have had to go through all this because their lives have been worse as well."
"I know my kids have suffered."
What does the Government say?
Speaking in the Commons earlier this week, John Glen, Minister in charge of the Infected Blood Inquiry, said: "I recognise the distress is widespread, it's felt across individuals and families across the United Kingdom."
"My officials are working with prominent charities, organisations and support groups. I'm reaching out to them to share progress, to reassure the community I've heard their concerns, and seek their views in advance of May 20."
"I'm doing that out of deep respect for the suffering that they've experienced."
Last week, the Government set out the terms of reference for the group appointed to advise ministers on compensation for victims of the scandal.
The Infected Blood Inquiry is due to publish its final report in May.