Infected Blood Support Schemes

Please note that the services below are independent of the Infected Blood Inquiry. 

 

The UK government put in place payment schemes for people who contracted hepatitis C via a NHS blood transfusion prior to September 1991, or via blood products before 1985.

Each of the four UK countries has a government organisation who are administering the scheme for that country. You should contact the relevant scheme based on where in the UK you, or the person who you are making a claim in connection with, were infected.

The support schemes are also making the interim compensation payments currently available.  For more information about compensation see here.

Infected Blood scheme compensation payments are exempt from income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax.  The statutory instrument making this provision is here.

England Infected Blood Support Scheme  

England Infected Blood Support Scheme

  • Tel: 0300 330 1294
  • Email: eibss@nhsbsa.nhs.uk
  • EIBSS
    NHS Business Services Authority
    Bridge House
    152 Pilgrim Street
    Newcastle Upon Tyne
    NE1 6SN

Psychological support provided: A discretionary one-off payment of up to £900 per year is available towards counselling for infected beneficiaries, family members of people registered with EIBSS or previous schemes and bereaved beneficiaries. You can find more information here.

Northern Ireland Blood Support Scheme  

Northern Ireland Blood Support Scheme

  • Tel: 02895 363 817
  • Email: bso.ibss@hscni.net
  • Infected Blood Payment Scheme for Northern Ireland
    Business Services Organisation
    Finance Directorate 2nd Floor
    2 Franklin Street
    Belfast
    BT2 8DQ

Psychological support provided: This attached leaflet provides information about the clinical psychology service for individuals and their families.

Scotland Infected Blood Support Scheme  

Scotland Infected Blood Support Scheme

  • Tel: 0131 275 6754
  • Email: NSS.SIBSS@nhs.net
  • Scottish Infected Blood Support Scheme
    Practitioner Services
    Gyle Square
    1 South Gyle Crescent
    Edinburgh
    EH12 9EB

Psychological support provided: The Scottish Infected Blood Psychology Service supports the emotional wellbeing of people in Scotland who were infected, family members, bereaved family members and other loved ones.  

Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme  

Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme

  • Tel: 0291 500 900
  • Email: wibss@wales.nhs.net
  • Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme
    4th Floor
    Companies House
    Crown Way
    Cardiff
    CF14 3UB

Psychological support provided: The psychology team provides psychological assessment and treatment to people registered with the scheme, their family members and bereaved family members. You can find more information here.

Psychological support provided by Trusts and Charities

The Hepatitis C Trust  

The Hepatitis C Trust is the national UK charity for hepatitis C and runs a confidential helpline on 020 7089 6221 open 10.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays and over the Christmas break) which is staffed by people with personal experience of hepatitis C.

The Terrence Higgins Trust  

The Terrence Higgins Trust is offering a free talking therapy service for former Macfarlane Trust beneficiaries, living with or affected by HIV as a result of contaminated blood products. If you contact them on 0808 8021221 or email macfarlane@tht.org.uk they will arrange an assessment with their trauma therapist. 

The Samaritans  

The Samaritans are available any time, day or night, if you’re having a difficult time. You can get in touch about anything that’s troubling you, no matter how large or small the issue feels. The Samaritans are there to listen, no judgement, no pressure and help you work through what’s on your mind. The freephone number is 116123.