A 30-year battle for justice

Tainted blood scandal ‘is the worst tragedy in NHS history’ September 25, 2018

Doctors ‘blamed victims to cover up blood scandal’ September 26, 2018

THE contaminated blood scandal is regarded as the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.

More than 7,500 patients were infected with HIV and hepatitis after being given contaminated blood by the NHS in the 1970s and 1980s.

A shortage of a blood-clotting treatment, Factor VIII, meant that much of the blood had been imported from prison inmates in the US who were paid for their donations. The blood was not treated to destroy any viruses before being used in Britain.

The Daily Mail campaigned for nearly 30 years for justice for the victims before Theresa May announced in July last year that there would be a full inquiry into what she called an ‘appalling tragedy’.