Inquiry into the worst treatment disaster in NHS history ends
Infected blood inquiry memorial. Picture credit: PA Mediapoint
Closing statements at a long-running UK Public Inquiry into the contaminated blood scandal were heard on Friday.
The infected blood inquiry started in 2018 and heard testimony from 370 witnesses over a series of public hearings.
It was launched to investigate why infected blood products were being used to treat NHS patients between 1970 and the early 90s.
It is thought tens of thousands were infected with HIV and Hepatitis C after being given a blood transfusion.
The Hepatitis C Trust were one of the core participants in the inquiry, and provided evidence for those they supported in getting justice.
Meg Griffiths, Head of Communications at the charity, said: “We know that there are still people out there because since January, we’ve had three calls from people to the helpline, saying they’ve just been diagnosed because of contaminated blood.”
There is a pot of money available from the Government which you can have access to if you were infected from contaminated blood. But Meg explained that it is a very difficult process getting hold of that money.
“Previously people couldn’t access the money because they can’t prove they were given a blood transfusion beccause it’s not on their medical record. This is because the NHS often destroys medical records, or they conveniently go missing.
“The money that’s been given so far is really not enough compared to what they’ve been through,” Miss Griffiths said.
Those that have lost parents to Hepatitis C or HIV because of contaminated blood don’t have access to this financial compensation. The charity are making strides to ensure all bereaved family members have access to this sort of support.
She added: “What we need is a very simple framework, so that people can get the money as quickly as possible because a lot of these people are going to die soon. We’re going to run out of time.”
The Hepatitis C Trust want to ensure that in England, those affected by the contaminated blood scandal have access to free psychological support. In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, they already have this.
“We also are hoping for a full apology from the Government because they haven’t given one yet.
MEG GRIFFITHS, THE HEPATITIS C TRUST
“They haven’t admitted their failings.”
In fact, many campaigners criticised former Prime minister John Major’s testimony at the inquiry, after he said victims of the scandal had “incredibly bad luck”.
Seventy-one-year-old Nicola Leehey was at the inquiry’s final hearing on Friday. It is likely Mrs Leehey was infected with Hepatitis C after a blood transfusion in 1980 during childbirth.
Listen to how being a victim of the contaminated blood scandal has affected Nicola’s life:
Listen to Nicola’s closing statement at the inquiry below:
