Public inquiry into infected blood scandal ‘urgent’, say campaigners
AN URGENT public inquiry must be opened into the historic blood contamination scandal to give families devastated by NHS treatment the answers they so “desperately need”, say campaigners.
Lynne Kelly of Haemophilia Wales, along with legal experts, are calling on Westminster to undertake an inquiry into the scandal which cost the lives of thousands of people across the UK in the 1970s and 1980s.
Around 5,000 haemophiliacs across the UK were infected with HIV and Hepatitis C from contaminated blood products introduced through transfusions and other treatments.
Two hundred people in Wales were affected, 70 of whom died, in what was called the “worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS”. It was caused by the NHS buying blood from suppliers in the United States who used “Skid Row” donors, such as prison inmates, more likely to have HIV and Hepatitis C.
The fresh call for an inquiry comes ahead of a new BBC Panorama documentary on the subject, called Contaminated Blood: The Search for the Truth, which will be aired tonight.
The programme will examine recently-released documents and asks if the Government could have done more to save lives. It will also feature heartbreaking testimony of some of the victims and their families and explore the dilemmas of doctors who had to carry on treating their patients through the unfolding crisis.
Lynne Kelly said: “Over 2,000 people have died from HIV and Hepatitis C as a result of receiving NHS contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s.
“There is a deeply-felt need by victims and families to finally get to the truth of what happened. There is clear evidence of failings at every level and the truth has been buried. Only a full UK wide Statutory Public Inquiry with the power to compel witnesses and ensure full disclosure of documents can deliver closure people deserve.
“Lessons have to be learned for the future to avoid this ever happening again.”
Julie Morgan, chair of the Assembly Cross-Party Group on Haemophilia and Contaminated Blood, said: “The demand for a public inquiry grows every day and I’m pleased that the BBC’s Panorama is highlighting the issue.
“In January, following my debate in the Assembly, Welsh AMs unanimously called on the UK Government to hold such an inquiry – that has been refused again.
“We will continue to put on pressure on the UK Government to hold a public inquiry – this is a group of families who will not give up.”
She added: “I’m also very pleased that so many Labour candidates from across Wales are now calling for it to be included in the party’s General Election manifesto.”
Public law expert Michael Imperato, of Watkins & Gunn Solicitors, says the Welsh victims and their families “deserve answers” as to why thousands of lives have been lost as a result of this potentially “preventable tragedy”.
He said: “These families and victims have been subjected to decades of torment as a result of this scandal, with many still battling illness and families devastated indefinitely.
“We believe that they deserve answers and justice. These people are owed an explanation as to why thousands of lives were lost as a result of this tragedy.
“A public inquiry into the scandal in Scotland resulted in victims and their families getting substantially increased financial support.
“This type of entirely preventable incident must not be allowed to happen again.”