{"id":1173,"date":"2023-02-06T16:17:08","date_gmt":"2023-02-06T16:17:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/centreforjournalismprojects.co.uk\/kentbuzz\/?p=1173"},"modified":"2023-02-06T16:17:10","modified_gmt":"2023-02-06T16:17:10","slug":"inquiry-into-the-worst-treatment-disaster-in-nhs-history-ends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/centreforjournalismprojects.co.uk\/kentbuzz\/2023\/02\/06\/inquiry-into-the-worst-treatment-disaster-in-nhs-history-ends\/","title":{"rendered":"Inquiry into the worst treatment disaster in NHS history ends"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Closing statements at a long-running UK Public Inquiry into the contaminated blood scandal were heard on Friday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The infected blood inquiry started in 2018 and heard testimony from 370 witnesses over a series of public hearings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was launched to investigate why infected blood products were being used to treat NHS patients between 1970 and the early 90s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is thought tens of thousands were infected with HIV and Hepatitis C after being given a blood transfusion.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Picture credit: BBC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Hepatitis C Trust were one of the core participants in the inquiry, and provided evidence for those they supported in getting justice.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The money that’s been given so far is really not enough compared to what they’ve been through,” Miss Griffiths said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those that have lost parents to Hepatitis C or HIV because of contaminated blood don\u2019t have access to this financial compensation. The charity are making strides to ensure all bereaved family members have access to this sort of support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We also are hoping for a full apology from the Government because they haven’t given one yet.

“They haven’t admitted their failings.”<\/p>MEG GRIFFITHS, THE HEPATITIS C TRUST<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In fact, many campaigners criticised former Prime minister John Major\u2019s testimony at the inquiry, after he said victims of the scandal had \u201cincredibly bad luck\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Nicola Leehey spent much of her career as an NHS patient care manager. Picture credit: The Northern Echo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Listen to how being a victim of the contaminated blood scandal has affected Nicola’s life:<\/p>\n\n\n\n