Displaying items by tag: contaminated blood

Rishi Sunak has pledged 'comprehensive compensation' for those affected by the UK's infected blood scandal, following a damning public inquiry. The scandal, which involved the infection of 30,000 people with HIV and hepatitis through NHS treatments in the 1970s and 1990s, has led to around 3,000 deaths, with more expected. The inquiry found that authorities exposed victims to unacceptable risks and attempted a cover-up, marking it as the NHS's largest treatment disaster. The Government, reportedly setting aside £10 billion, will outline the compensation plan, covering categories like injury, social impact, autonomy, care, and financial loss. Sunak condemned the scandal as a 'day of shame for the British state' and assured the House of Commons of the Government's commitment to funding the compensation. Opposition leader Sir Keir Starmer also apologised for Labour's past involvement and supported swift compensation for victims. The inquiry's 2,527-page report emphasised that the disaster was avoidable and involved deliberate concealment by officials.

Blood transfusions in the 1970s and 80s infected 4,800 patients with hepatitis C or HIV. As a public inquiry into the contaminated blood scandal begins this week, the victims and families of the 2,000 who died want justice and the Government held to account. The stigma attached to HIV meant that victims received hate mail and death threats, and the scandal was hushed up. This inquiry will finally give people the opportunity to tell their stories as evidence is heard. One victim said, ‘They will be horrified to hear what happened’. The UK relied on blood products from America manufactured from blood from thousands of paid high-risk donors (prisoners and drug addicts). Campaigners say there is evidence that the health service knew the blood was contaminated but carried on giving it, and there have been allegations of a government cover-up.