People affected and infected by the contaminated blood scandal in England can now self-refer for psychological care from a new NHS service.
A national service offering bespoke psychological support for people who have been infected and affected by contaminated blood or blood products is open for self-referrals.
The Infected Blood Psychological Service (IBPS) began supporting the first cohort of infected and affected people in September 2024, with a full complement of 16 centres now open across England, including at CUH.
Infected and affected people in England can access the IBPS service via a national telephone line (0300 131 0444) operational 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
It is available to anyone infected by the contaminated blood scandal as well as bereaved partners, parents, children and their extended families.
After someone has had initial contact with one of the 16 local IBPS centres, and if support is required, then a psychological review will take place and treatment provided by clinicians with specialist expertise in issues facing those infected and affected by contaminated blood or blood products.
More information about the full range of services provided can be found by visiting the IBPS website (opens in a new tab).
The IBPS has been designed following a lengthy period of collaboration and co-production with those infected and affected by contaminated blood, their families and NHS staff.