The infected blood scandal is one of the most significant public health disasters in UK history, occurring during the 1970s and 1980s. Thousands of patients, including those with hemophilia, were given blood products contaminated with HIV and hepatitis C. This scandal exposed severe failures in the healthcare system and has led to a prolonged fight for justice and compensation for the victims.
Scale and Impact of the Scandal
Affected Groups
The scandal primarily affected two groups of NHS patients:
- Hemophiliacs and Those with Similar Disorders:
- Hemophilia is a genetic condition where blood doesn’t clot properly.
- Patients with hemophilia A lack Factor VIII, while those with hemophilia B lack Factor IX.
- Contaminated blood plasma treatments, developed in the 1970s, replaced these clotting agents.
- Approximately 1,250 people with bleeding disorders, including 380 children, contracted both HIV and hepatitis C from these treatments.
- About two-thirds of these patients later died from AIDS-related illnesses.
- Patients Receiving Blood Transfusions:
- Between 1970 and 1991, patients undergoing childbirth, surgery, or other treatments received contaminated blood transfusions.
- An estimated 80-100 of these patients contracted HIV, and around 27,000 contracted hepatitis C.
- Overall, approximately 2,900 people have died due to the infected blood scandal.
Findings of the Public Inquiry
A public inquiry described the scandal’s scale as “horrifying,” accusing doctors, the government, and the NHS of repeatedly failing patients. The inquiry, led by Sir Brian Langstaff, highlighted a lack of transparency and elements of “downright deception,” including the destruction of documents and the withholding of crucial information about the risks.
Key Points from the Inquiry
- There was insufficient action to stop importing blood products from high-risk donors abroad.
- UK blood donations from high-risk groups continued until 1986.
- Blood products were not heat-treated to eliminate HIV until late 1985, despite known risks since 1982.
- Testing to reduce hepatitis risk was inadequate from the 1970s onward.
Compensation for Victims
The government has committed to setting up a final compensation scheme, with interim payments of £210,000 to be distributed starting from the summer.
Compensation Details
- The total cost of compensation is expected to run into billions.
- Victims infected with HIV may receive between £2.2m and £2.6m.
- Those with chronic hepatitis C could receive between £665,000 and £810,000.
- Family members of the deceased or surviving victims are also entitled to compensation.
- Payments will be exempt from tax and will not affect benefits.
Historical Context and International Comparison
UK Context
- By the mid-1970s, warnings about the risks of imported US Factor VIII were repeatedly issued.
- Despite attempts, the UK failed to become self-sufficient in blood products, continuing to rely on risky imports.
- Screening for hepatitis C began in 1991, 18 months after the virus was identified.
International Response
- Other countries, including Finland, avoided the scandal by using older treatments.
- Twenty-three countries introduced hepatitis C screening before the UK.
- In the US, companies involved have paid millions in out-of-court settlements.
- Politicians and drug companies faced negligence charges in France and Japan.
Government Response and Criticism
The government has faced criticism for the delay in announcing compensation until after the final report’s publication. Prime Minister and Cabinet Office Minister John Glen assured that payments would start before the end of the year and that interim payments would begin in the summer. Despite these assurances, bereaved families and campaigners continue to push for quicker action and full accountability.