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Contaminated blood cases 'tragic' Contaminated blood cases 'tragic'
(about 1 hour later)
A public inquiry has condemned the failings that led to thousands of people being infected with HIV and hepatitis C from contaminated blood.A public inquiry has condemned the failings that led to thousands of people being infected with HIV and hepatitis C from contaminated blood.
The independent privately-funded inquiry called the use of contaminated blood products to treat patients with haemophilia a "horrific human tragedy".The independent privately-funded inquiry called the use of contaminated blood products to treat patients with haemophilia a "horrific human tragedy".
The report suggested UK authorities had been slow to react.
But it accepted it was not possible to apportion blame and urged more support for those living with the consequences.
During the 1970s and early 1980s, nearly 5,000 people were exposed to hepatitis C.During the 1970s and early 1980s, nearly 5,000 people were exposed to hepatitis C.
Of these, more than 1,200 were also infected with HIV.Of these, more than 1,200 were also infected with HIV.
Almost 2,000 of those people have since died as a result.Almost 2,000 of those people have since died as a result.
The inquiry, led by Lord Archer of Sandwell, is reporting its findings two years after originally scheduled. What we need now is to see some very swift action from the government Sue ThreakallTainted Love
What we need now is to see some very swift action from the government Sue ThreakallTainted Love Lord Archer said the main responsibility for the tragedy rested with the US suppliers of the contaminated blood products. The two-year inquiry, led by Lord Archer of Sandwell, said the main responsibility for the tragedy rested with the US suppliers of the contaminated blood products.
He said commercial interests appeared to have been given a higher priority than patient safety.He said commercial interests appeared to have been given a higher priority than patient safety.
Much of the blood had come from down-at-heel "skid row" donors, such as prison inmates, whose risk of hepatitis C and HIV was much higher than that of the general population.Much of the blood had come from down-at-heel "skid row" donors, such as prison inmates, whose risk of hepatitis C and HIV was much higher than that of the general population.
However, Lord Archer also criticised the UK Government at the time for being slow to realise the extent of the danger faced by patients. However, Lord Archer also criticised the UK government at the time for being slow to realise the extent of the danger faced by patients.
He recommended that compensation schemes for those who were affected be improved. He said there was "lethargic" progress towards national self-sufficiency in blood products in England and Wales, where it took 13 years compared to just five years in Ireland.
But he added: "It is a bit late to say who is to blame when little can be done about it.
"What the government ought to address is the needs of people now."
Compensation
To do this, he recommended that compensation schemes for those who were affected be improved.
He also said a public inquiry should have been held earlier.
He said some witnesses were unable to fully recollect what had happened because of the passage of time.
And Lord Archer lamented the decision of the Department of Health not to give evidence publicly - there were several private meetings with officials - and with-hold certain documents.
"It is hard to say what we could have found out."
Sue Threakall, from the campaign group from Tainted Love whose husband died after being given contaminated blood, welcomed the report.Sue Threakall, from the campaign group from Tainted Love whose husband died after being given contaminated blood, welcomed the report.
She said: "What we need now is to see some very swift action from the government.She said: "What we need now is to see some very swift action from the government.
"All we have ever wanted is the truth, and some justice.""All we have ever wanted is the truth, and some justice."
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
Christopher James, chief executive of the Haemophilia Society, has called for a National Haemophilia Committee to ensure that patient safety is never compromised again.Christopher James, chief executive of the Haemophilia Society, has called for a National Haemophilia Committee to ensure that patient safety is never compromised again.
He said: "Surviving victims also need free and full provision of healthcare in addition to access to insurance and compensation for those who have had their lives ruined."He said: "Surviving victims also need free and full provision of healthcare in addition to access to insurance and compensation for those who have had their lives ruined."
Paid donors
Haemophilia is a rare inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot normally.Haemophilia is a rare inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot normally.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/default.stm">More from Today programme There is no cure, but the condition can be managed using a clotting chemical, known as factor VIII. There is no cure, but the condition can be managed using a clotting chemical, known as factor VIII.
But in the early 1970s, patients were treated with blood products that came in a dry powder form which could then be reconstituted with water.But in the early 1970s, patients were treated with blood products that came in a dry powder form which could then be reconstituted with water.
From 1973, the powder was made commercially in the US, and the blood it used often came from patients who had been paid for giving their blood.From 1973, the powder was made commercially in the US, and the blood it used often came from patients who had been paid for giving their blood.
Between then and the mid-1980s, 4,670 people in the UK with haemophilia were exposed to hepatitis C.Between then and the mid-1980s, 4,670 people in the UK with haemophilia were exposed to hepatitis C.
In 1981, it was discovered that some plasma was infected with HIV.In 1981, it was discovered that some plasma was infected with HIV.
Since the mid-1980s, plasma products have been heat-treated to kill viruses.Since the mid-1980s, plasma products have been heat-treated to kill viruses.
'Help the afflicted''Help the afflicted'
Successive governments have refused to admit any fault or hold an inquiry.Successive governments have refused to admit any fault or hold an inquiry.
FROM BBC RADIO 5 LIVE More from BBC Radio 5 live There have been payments to people infected with HIV, and in 2004, the Skipton Fund was set up for people infected with hepatitis C, but no payments were made to those who died before 2003.FROM BBC RADIO 5 LIVE More from BBC Radio 5 live There have been payments to people infected with HIV, and in 2004, the Skipton Fund was set up for people infected with hepatitis C, but no payments were made to those who died before 2003.
Many patients, bereaved relatives and medical experts gave evidence to the inquiry, as did former health ministers Lord Owen and Lord Jenkin. The public inquiry said compensation should be paid directly through the Department of Work and Pensions just as other benefits are to create a standardised and fair system to give people better access to care and support.
Publication of the report follows the news last week of the first case of vCJD in a patient with haemophilia - discovered during a post-mortem after the patient died from other causes.Publication of the report follows the news last week of the first case of vCJD in a patient with haemophilia - discovered during a post-mortem after the patient died from other causes.
Up to 4,000 haemophilia sufferers have been warned they could be at risk of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.Up to 4,000 haemophilia sufferers have been warned they could be at risk of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.