After decades of waiting, Colin Smith’s parents receive compensation for their son’s death linked to the infected blood scandal
Newport: Colin Smith was just seven when he tragically passed away from AIDS in January 1990. Fast forward 35 years, and his parents, Colin Sr and Janet, have finally received some compensation after a long, tough fight.
Colin was the youngest of four brothers and one of the first victims of the infected blood scandal. He got AIDS-infected blood during treatment for haemophilia at Heath Hospital in Cardiff back in 1983. Sadly, his story is just one among over 30,000 people affected, with more than 3,000 lives lost, and many still waiting for any compensation.
Last month, Colin Sr and Janet were among the first families to get an interim payment of £100,000. While many expected this, they are among just a few who have actually seen the money so far. It’s been a long road for them, visiting their son’s grave, which reads “miss you always sweetheart.”
Before this, no one impacted by the scandal had received any compensation, even though many lost jobs and faced stigma due to AIDS. Janet shared with The Sunday Times that getting this payment felt “bittersweet.” She mentioned how it would help them support their other sons and ease worries about everyday expenses.
Colin’s face has become a symbol of this scandal, but he’s just one of many victims. Medical records revealed that the infected blood product was approved for him just days after it was decided that children shouldn’t receive it due to the risk of AIDS. The inquiry into this scandal found that both Conservative and Labour governments tried to cover up what happened to those 30,000 patients.
The Labour government has rolled out an £11.8 billion scheme to compensate victims, including interim payments for families of those who have died. However, Andrew Evans from the pressure group Tainted Blood pointed out that progress has been painfully slow, with people still dying from their infections.
Nick Thomas Symonds, the MP for Torfaen, stated that the current government is doing more than any before it to address this issue. He mentioned that over £1 billion in interim payments has already been distributed and that they are committed to delivering justice for the victims as quickly as possible.
