The infected blood scandal, which resulted in the infection of 30,000 people with HIV and hepatitis between 1970 and 1991, has been heavily criticised in a damning report. Sir Brian Langstaff wrote the report and found that many authorities and governments had “repeatedly” failed the victims, with around 3,000 people having died due to contaminated blood from the healthcare system. A list of failures was revealed in the report, which the author labelled a “calamity.”
The report detailed how authorities failed to take the appropriate measures to stop imports of blood products from high-risk donors, including prisoners and drug addicts, leading to “unacceptable risks” for patients. Furthermore, blood donations were accepted in the UK from high-risk groups until 1986. Although the risks of HIV infection were known in 1982, it was not until the end of 1985 that blood products were treated to eliminate the virus. Methods to reduce the risk of hepatitis were also not implemented enough from the 1970s onwards.
Various bodies, including doctors, the government, and blood services, deliberately concealed the truth, and some even destroyed documents. Patients were not informed about the risks of their treatment, and people were unaware of how likely they were to be exposed to infections. The report concludes that the government’s decision not to suspend the importation of commercial blood products in July 1983 was wrong, despite it being apparent the cause of AIDS could be transmitted by blood.
Since the scandal, many have suffered and financial support has been provided by the government. However, a final compensation deal has not been agreed. Later, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged “comprehensive compensation” would be paid to those impacted and infected, with details to be set out on Tuesday. Sir Brian said that those affected and infected have told powerful stories of pain, loss, and lives being destroyed. He labelled the government as “cruel” for providing false information about the best medical care received
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