{"id":27269,"date":"2025-05-07T07:22:50","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T07:22:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/medexperts.pro\/?p=27269"},"modified":"2025-05-07T08:28:49","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T08:28:49","slug":"what-is-the-infected-blood-scandal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/?p=27269","title":{"rendered":"What is the infected blood scandal?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-1ik71mx-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-13nu8ri-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-30fcoe-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Published<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><span data-testid=\"time-and-date:clock\" class=\"ssrcss-1mh4yp1-IconContainer e4wm5bw0\"><\/span>1 hour ago<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-oak0za\">\n<div data-testid=\"information-panel\" class=\"ssrcss-5tewi8-StyledInformationPanel eu74mg85\">\n<div>\n<div data-testid=\"information-panel-button\"><button type=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"ssrcss-44a2yh-Button eoocusk1\"><span data-testid=\"actions:share\" class=\"ssrcss-1a1fy59-IconWrapper eoocusk0\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Share<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div hidden role=\"group\" aria-labelledby=\"share-tools-panel\" data-testid=\"information-panel-content\" class=\"ssrcss-1ygg789-StyledPanelContent eu74mg84\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-tt825r-CloseButtonWrapper eu74mg82\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"ssrcss-736yz0-Button eoocusk1\"><span data-testid=\"actions:close\" class=\"ssrcss-1a1fy59-IconWrapper eoocusk0\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">close panel<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-16sh5ob-PanelWrapper eu74mg83\">\n<div id=\"share-tools-panel\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ssrcss-1bh3963-StyledTitleArea eu74mg81\">Share page<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><button type=\"button\" aria-live=\"polite\" class=\"ssrcss-1195hht-Button eoocusk1\"><span data-testid=\"actions:link\" class=\"ssrcss-1tz2bh9-IconWrapper eoocusk0\"><\/span>Copy link<\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/usingthebbc\/terms\/can-i-share-things-from-the-bbc\" class=\"ssrcss-18h2t1m-StyledLink ezys19s0\">About sharing<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1qlkdz0-ComponentWrapper-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1vfya96-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-5zsoxt-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tvuve5-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"byline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1hbb5i-BylineComponentWrapper e8mq1e90\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-qt5zqv-BylineWrapper e19uhciu17\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-h3c0s8-ContributorContainer e19uhciu16\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1u2in0b-Container-ContributorDetails e19uhciu13\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-68pt20-Text-TextContributorName e19uhciu6\">By Jim Reed<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-84ltp5-Text e19uhciu10\">Health reporter<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-jlwt2c-Divider e19uhciu15\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b class=\"ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">Government officials have been called to give evidence to a special session of the infected blood inquiry amid &#8220;grave concerns&#8221; about the speed of compensation payments.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The inquiry&#8217;s chair, Sir Brian Langstaff, made the unusual decision to take fresh evidence nearly a year after his final report into the scandal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">As many as 140,000 bereaved parents, children and siblings of victims may also be able to claim compensation in their own right. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"subheadline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\">\n<h2 id=\"Who-was-given-infected-blood-and-how-many-died\" class=\"ssrcss-pbttu9-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">Who was given infected blood and how many died?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Two main groups of NHS patients were affected by what has been called the biggest treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Firstly, haemophiliacs &#8211; and those with similar disorders &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/haemophilia\/\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">who have a rare genetic condition which means their blood does not clot properly.<span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">, <!-- -->external<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">People with haemophilia A have a shortage of a clotting agent called Factor VIII, while people with haemophilia B do not have enough Factor IX. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In the 1970s, a new treatment using donated human blood plasma was developed to replace these clotting agents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">But entire batches were contaminated with deadly viruses.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">After being given the infected treatments, about 1,250 people in the UK with bleeding disorders went on to develop both HIV and hepatitis C, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/health-63569463\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">including 380 children.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"media-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1qlkdz0-ComponentWrapper-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1vfya96-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\">\n<div data-chromatic=\"ignore\" class=\"ssrcss-dtyrnv-MediaPlayerWrapper e1h75hkw4\">\n<div data-testid=\"media-player-container-landscape\" class=\"ssrcss-aaorng-MediaContainer e1h75hkw3\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-199fzb3-MediaInner e1h75hkw2\">\n<div data-testid=\"bbc-logo-wrapper\" class=\"ssrcss-1twt4cc-LogoIconWrapper e1h75hkw0\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1mm7qis-ErrorMessage eitf6463\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-avt7do-StyledInnerContainer eitf6462\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-ad2rmd-Heading e10rt3ze0\">To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-bhmi6t-ReasonWrapper eitf6460\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">This video can not be played<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">About two-thirds later died of Aids-related illnesses. Some unintentionally gave HIV to their partners.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Another 2,400 to 5,000 people developed hepatitis C on its own, which can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It is difficult to know the exact number of people infected with hepatitis C, partly because it can take decades for symptoms to appear. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">A second group of patients were given contaminated blood transfusions after childbirth, surgery or other medical treatment between 1970 and 1991.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The inquiry estimates that between 80 and 100 of these people were infected with HIV, and about 27,000 with hepatitis C.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In total, it is thought about 2,900 people have died. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1le81vw-ListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/topics\/c6gz70808ext\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">The victims, families and what happened<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/health-68835807\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">I lost mum, dad and sister to HIV in blood scandal<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-57547366\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">The school where dozens died in NHS blood scandal<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"subheadline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\">\n<h2 id=\"What-did-the-infected-blood-inquiry-say-\" class=\"ssrcss-pbttu9-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">What did the infected blood inquiry say? <\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Announcing its findings in May 2024, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/crgg2nx31j0o\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">the inquiry said victims had been failed &#8220;not once, but repeatedly&#8221;,<\/a> and that the risk of viral infections in blood products had been known since 1948.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff said there had been a lack of openness from the authorities and elements of &#8220;downright deception&#8221;, including the destruction of documents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He said half-truths were also told, so people did not know about the risk of their treatment, the availability of alternatives, or even whether they were infected.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;This disaster was not an accident,&#8221; said Sir Brian. &#8220;The infections happened because those in authority &#8211; doctors, the blood services and successive governments &#8211; did not put patient safety first.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk\/reports\/inquiry-report\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">The Inquiry report<span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">, <!-- -->external<\/span><\/a> said: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1le81vw-ListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">too little was done to stop importing blood products from abroad, which used blood from high-risk donors such as prisoners and drug addicts<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">in the UK, blood donations were accepted from high-risk groups such as prisoners until 1986<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">blood products were not heat-treated to eliminate HIV until the end of 1985, although the risks were known in 1982<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">there was too little testing to reduce the risk of hepatitis, from the 1970s onwards<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"subheadline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\">\n<h2 id=\"How-much-compensation-will-infected-blood-victims-get\" class=\"ssrcss-pbttu9-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">How much compensation will infected blood victims get?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In October 2024, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said that the government had set aside \u00a311.8bn to pay compensation to victims. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It set up an independent arms-length body called <a href=\"https:\/\/ibca.org.uk\/\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA)<span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">, <!-- -->external<\/span><\/a> to administer payments.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Both those infected by contaminated blood products and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c4gpk4xkenvo\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">those affected by the scandal &#8211; such as partners, parents, children and siblings &#8211;<\/a> can claim compensation for the impact on their lives. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Payments are exempt from tax, and do not affect benefits. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The final amounts for individuals are assessed against five criteria: harm caused, social impact from stigma and isolation, impact on autonomy and private life, care costs and financial loss.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Outlining the compensation scheme after the inquiry reported in May 2024, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/infected-blood-compensation-scheme-summary\/infected-blood-compensation-scheme-summary\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">the then-Conservative government suggested how much people might receive<span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">, <!-- -->external<\/span><\/a>:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1le81vw-ListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">a person infected with HIV could expect to get compensation of between \u00a32.2m and \u00a32.6m<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">those with a chronic hepatitis C infection, defined as lasting more than six months, could expect to receive between \u00a3665,000 and \u00a3810,000<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">the partner of someone infected with HIV who is still alive today could expect to receive about \u00a3110,000, while a child could get \u00a355,000<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cg3340881p6o\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">Compensation payments will go to the estate<\/a> of infected people who have died.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">But if a partner or relative who might be entitled to a payment has died, their estate will not receive any money.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"subheadline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\">\n<h2 id=\"Have-any-compensation-payments-already-been-made\" class=\"ssrcss-pbttu9-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">Have any compensation payments already been made?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In late 2022, following advice from the inquiry, the Conservative government made interim payments of \u00a3100,000 each to about 4,000 surviving victims and bereaved partners. A second interim payment of \u00a3210,000 was paid to those infected in June 2024. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In October 2024, the government said more relatives of those who died could also apply for \u00a3100,000 interim payments if the money had not already been claimed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The IBCA said, as of 6 May: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1le81vw-ListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">677 people have been invited to claim final compensation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">160 compensation payments totalling \u00a3150.2m have been offered<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">106 compensation payments totalling \u00a396.6m have been made<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">An IBCA spokesman said its priority remained &#8220;paying as many people as soon as possible&#8221;. It plans to ask an extra 100 individuals to start their claims every week from May 2025. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It has also announced that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ibca.org.uk\/news\/ibca-to-prioritise-claims-for-those-who-are-nearing-the-end-of-their-life\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">it would start to prioritise payments to those who had less than 12 months left to live<span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">, <!-- -->external<\/span><\/a> due to any medical condition. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Victims and their relatives have criticised the time taken to make payments, and what they say is a lack of transparency about the claims process.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">On 9 April <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cd6jj5wd6z4o\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">Sir Brian said he would re-open the inquiry on 7 and 8 May to take evidence about the speed of compensation payments<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Government officials, including the cabinet office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, will give evidence under oath and the sessions will be filmed and streamed online. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Sir Brian said: &#8220;The decision to hold hearings has not been taken lightly. It reflects the gravity of concerns expressed consistently and repeatedly to the inquiry.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;People infected and affected do not have time on their side.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"subheadline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\">\n<h2 id=\"How-did-the-infected-blood-scandal-happen\" class=\"ssrcss-pbttu9-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">How did the infected blood scandal happen?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In the 1970s, the UK was struggling to meet the demand for blood-clotting treatments, so imported supplies from the US.    <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">But much of the blood was bought from high-risk donors such as prison inmates and drug-users. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Factor VIII was made by pooling plasma from tens of thousands of donors.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">If just one was carrying a virus, the entire batch could be contaminated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">UK blood donations were not routinely screened for hepatitis C until 1991, 18 months after the virus was first identified.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1qlkdz0-ComponentWrapper-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1vfya96-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-j8e9q1-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Jackie Britton with her newborn\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"http:\/\/medexperts.pro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/103518091_jackie-child.jpg\" width=\"976\" height=\"649\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\" \/><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tvuve5-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>Jackie Britton<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"subheadline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\">\n<h2 id=\"When-did-authorities-know-about-infected-blood\" class=\"ssrcss-pbttu9-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">When did authorities know about infected blood?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">By the mid-1970s, there were repeated warnings that imported US Factor VIII carried a greater risk of infection. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">However, attempts to make the UK more self-sufficient in blood products failed, so the NHS continued using foreign supplies. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Campaigners say haemophiliacs could have been offered an alternative treatment called Cryoprecipitate. This was much harder to administer, but was made from the blood plasma of a single donor, lowering the infection risk. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">BBC News has also uncovered evidence <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/health-68831061\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">children were infected with hepatitis C and HIV after being placed on clinical trials of new treatments<\/a> &#8211; often, without their family&#8217;s consent.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">As late as November 1983, the government insisted there was no &#8220;conclusive proof&#8221; that HIV could be transmitted in blood, a line <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/health-58004764\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">robustly defended by former Conservative health minister Ken Clarke<\/a> when he appeared before the inquiry. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"media-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1qlkdz0-ComponentWrapper-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1vfya96-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\">\n<div data-chromatic=\"ignore\" class=\"ssrcss-dtyrnv-MediaPlayerWrapper e1h75hkw4\">\n<div data-testid=\"media-player-container-landscape\" class=\"ssrcss-aaorng-MediaContainer e1h75hkw3\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-199fzb3-MediaInner e1h75hkw2\">\n<div data-testid=\"bbc-logo-wrapper\" class=\"ssrcss-1twt4cc-LogoIconWrapper e1h75hkw0\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1mm7qis-ErrorMessage eitf6463\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-avt7do-StyledInnerContainer eitf6462\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-ad2rmd-Heading e10rt3ze0\">To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-bhmi6t-ReasonWrapper eitf6460\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">This video can not be played<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"subheadline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\">\n<h2 id=\"What-happened-in-other-countries-affected-by-infected-blood\" class=\"ssrcss-pbttu9-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">What happened in other countries affected by infected blood?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1w03aro-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Many other countries were affected, although some &#8211; including Finland &#8211; used older treatments until much later rather than switch to Factor VIII, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk\/sites\/default\/files\/1301-1538%20copy%205\/1301-1538%20copy%205\/PRSE0004403%20-%20Article%20in%20Ann%20Med%20entitled%20Antibodies%20to%20Hepatitis%20C%20Virus%20and%20Chronic%20Liver%20Disease%20among%20Finnish%20Patients%20with%20Haemophilia%20-%2001%20Jan%201990.pdf\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">which minimised HIV infections.<span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">, <!-- -->external<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Delivering the findings of the inquiry, Sir Brian criticised UK government claims in the 1990s that screening for hepatitis C began as soon as the technology was available.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He said that 23 other countries &#8211; including Japan, Finland and Spain &#8211; introduced the screening before the UK.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In the US, companies that supplied infected products have paid out millions in out-of-court settlements.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Politicians and drug companies have been convicted of negligence in countries including France and Japan. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In his evidence to the inquiry, former health secretary Andy Burnham suggested there may <a href=\"https:\/\/www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk\/evidence\/transcript-london-friday-15-july-2022-andy-burnham\" class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\">be grounds for charges of corporate manslaughter<span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-1f39n02-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">, <!-- -->external<\/span><\/a> in the UK.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"topic-list\" class=\"ssrcss-1qmkvfu-TopicListWrapper etw6iwl1\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-117nype-SectionHeaderWrapper e1nh2i2l1\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-ad2rmd-Heading e10rt3ze0\">Related internet links<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"promo\" class=\"ssrcss-8745b4-Promo e1vyq2e80\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1djxueb-PromoCompact e18gnqux0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1v1new6-PromoContent exn3ah913\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk\/\" class=\"ssrcss-1ijo9ug-PromoLink exn3ah95\"><span role=\"text\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1sen9vx-PromoHeadline exn3ah910\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Infected Blood inquiry<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Published1 hour agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Jim ReedHealth reporterGovernment officials have been called to give evidence to a special session of the infected blood inquiry amid &#8220;grave concerns&#8221; about the speed of compensation payments.The inquiry&#8217;s chair, Sir Brian Langstaff, made the unusual decision to take fresh evidence nearly a year after his final report into the scandal.More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s.As many as 140,000 bereaved parents, children and siblings of victims may also be able to claim compensation in their own right. Who was given infected blood and how many died?Two main groups of NHS patients were affected by what has been called the biggest treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.Firstly, haemophiliacs &#8211; and those with similar disorders &#8211; who have a rare genetic condition which means their blood does not clot properly.,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27271,"comment_status":"close","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27269","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27269","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=27269"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27269\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27274,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27269\/revisions\/27274"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/27271"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=27269"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=27269"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medexperts.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=27269"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}