Published 17 June 2026
Around 95 people attended IBCA’s first community drop-in session in Northern Ireland on Thursday 11 June 2026
They answered all my queries and put my mind at rest.” Event attendee
- 95 people attended IBCA’s first community drop-in session in Northern Ireland on Thursday 11 June 2026
- The event in Belfast was a chance for people to informally meet IBCA staff face-to-face to ask questions about infected blood compensation
- Representatives of the infected blood community in Northern Ireland and clinicians specialised in bleeding disorders also attended the event
Around 95 people attended the community drop-in event held in Belfast on Thursday 11 June.
People from across Northern Ireland impacted by the infected blood scandal were able to ask questions about the infected blood compensation service, and share their experiences with the team from the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA).
IBCA is an independent body which pays compensation to people infected and affected by HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C through contaminated blood or blood products.
Attendees received answers to their queries on a range of topics including probate and compensation payment timescales. Many received reassurance to concerns about access to medical records to support their claim where these have been destroyed under Northern Ireland’s retention policy.
A community member who attended said:
“It was nice to talk in person with people who know their stuff.”
The event was the latest in a number of drop-in sessions IBCA is holding across the UK. Members of the IBCA team were on hand to answer questions alongside IBCA’s CEO David Foley, Chief Operating Officer Sindy Skeldon and Chief Digital and Information Officer Celine McLoughlin.
Speaking after the event, David Foley said:
“Thank you to all of the community members who took the time to come and meet with us at our community in-person event in Belfast.
“These events are a valuable opportunity for IBCA staff to meet community members in-person, listen to their concerns and be able to directly answer their questions.
“The most important thing for us is that community members leave our events feeling heard, supported and more reassured about what comes next, whether they are in the middle of the process, waiting to start their claim or not yet registered with us.”
Representatives from organisations supporting members of the infected blood community in Northern Ireland also attended the event, alongside clinicians who specialise in bleeding disorders.
The dedicated roundtable session gave stakeholders the opportunity to meet the IBCA team, understand more about the infected blood compensation scheme and how IBCA is supporting community members through the claim process.
Conan McIlwrath, Chair of The Haemophilia Society, said:
“The challenges surrounding infected blood compensation are complex and there are no quick fixes. However, events like this demonstrate the value of bringing together those responsible for delivering compensation, those supporting applicants, and those with lived experience of the scandal.
“Collaboration remains the best route to progress. By working together, identifying barriers, and sharing experiences, we can help inform meaningful improvements to the process and support the ongoing work of Cabinet Office ministers in implementing legislation that smooths the path to compensation for those affected.”
IBCA will hold its next drop-in session in Cardiff on 30 June. To attend this or future events visit community drop ins.