Infected

The NHS contaminated blood scandal refers to a period in the 1970s and 80s, where more than 4,500 people were infected with hepatitis C or HIV, and 2,400 people who were infected have now died.

The blood was imported cheaply from America as part of an injection for people with haemophilia – Factor VIII – however many of the paid blood donors were actually injecting drug users and prison inmates meaning the blood was contaminated.

Thousands of people weren’t aware they had been contaminated which meant hundreds of people were co-infected by unknowing family members.

Until recently, there hasn’t been an official inquiry into the scandal and nobody has ever been held liable.