A digital pathway has been launched to facilitate devoted psychological assist to these affected by the nationwide contaminated blood scandal.
Greater than 30,000 individuals, primarily with haemophilia, got HIV and hepatitis contaminated blood merchandise within the Nineteen Seventies and Eighties, resulting in hundreds of deaths and lifelong sickness.
The Contaminated Blood Inquiry, which ran from 2017 to 2024, confirmed systemic failures, resulting in apologies and a UK-wide compensation scheme for victims and bereaved households.
To assist these affected, the digital pathway went dwell throughout England on 1 October 2025 as a part of the Contaminated Blood Psychological Service (IBPS), which delivers specialised, trauma-informed psychological and psychosocial care on behalf of the NHS.
Jullie Tran-Graham, deputy head of psychological well being at NHS England, stated: “The opening of the digital nationwide entrance door for the Contaminated Blood Psychological Service marks an enormous milestone for the service.
“It means individuals have extra methods to refer themselves into the service and widens entry to those that want the bespoke assist. This has been a key ambition for the service since its launch in 2024.
“The work to open the digital entrance door has required advanced coordination and intense engagement throughout the 16 trusts who present the service: nationally, regionally and domestically.”
Individuals can refer themselves to the service utilizing a web based referral type and start receiving psychosocial assist from specialist navigators at regional suppliers and specialist psychological assist from 16 native suppliers throughout England.
PCMIS Well being Applied sciences has been carried out as a standalone system to enhance the confidentiality offered to contaminated or affected individuals.
The undertaking included nationwide integration with NHS England and the event of a customized self-referral portal, enabling environment friendly referral processing and reporting throughout areas and native suppliers.
Byron George, chief govt at PCMIS Well being Applied sciences, stated: “Implementing IBPS throughout the NHS marks a big step ahead in our experience to ship large-scale built-in care with a wiser extra related service throughout your complete care pathway.
“Our staff labored intently with NHS England to ship an answer that’s safe, versatile, and responsive.
“The expertise isn’t nearly effectivity; it’s about supporting NHS trusts at a nationwide degree to make sure each individual receives the well timed assist they deserve.”
As a part of a phased implementation, the subsequent step is to undertake the PCMIS shopper portal, to offer the chance to finish routine consequence measures forward of appointments, and allow affected person entry to the Select & Ebook function which permits them to decide on a handy appointment time.
Final 12 months, PCMIS Well being Applied sciences confirmed it was becoming a member of forces with Dr Julian Medical Group to supply a transformative strategy to psychological healthcare supply, supporting improved accessibility and effectivity in psychological well being provision.
