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| What is the infected blood scandal and will victims get compensation? | What is the infected blood scandal and will victims get compensation? |
| (12 days later) | |
| 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. | |
| A public inquiry into what has been called the biggest treatment disaster in NHS history will announce its findings in May. | A public inquiry into what has been called the biggest treatment disaster in NHS history will announce its findings in May. |
| Victims are campaigning for compensation. | Victims are campaigning for compensation. |
| Who was affected by the infected blood scandal and how many patients were involved? | Who was affected by the infected blood scandal and how many patients were involved? |
| Two main groups of NHS patients were caught up in the scandal. | Two main groups of NHS patients were caught up in the scandal. |
| Firstly, haemophiliacs - and those with similar disorders - who have a rare genetic condition which means their blood does not clot properly, external. | |
| People with haemophilia A have a shortage of a clotting agent known as Factor VIII. People with haemophilia B don't have enough Factor IX. | People with haemophilia A have a shortage of a clotting agent known as Factor VIII. People with haemophilia B don't have enough Factor IX. |
| In the 1970s, a new treatment was developed to replace the missing clotting agents, made from donated human blood plasma. | In the 1970s, a new treatment was developed to replace the missing clotting agents, made from donated human blood plasma. |
| But whole batches of the replacement Factor VIII and IX products were contaminated with deadly viruses. | But whole batches of the replacement Factor VIII and IX products were contaminated with deadly viruses. |
| The infected blood inquiry estimates that 1,250 people with bleeding disorders in the UK developed both HIV and hepatitis C as a result, including 380 children. | The infected blood inquiry estimates that 1,250 people with bleeding disorders in the UK developed both HIV and hepatitis C as a result, including 380 children. |
| Around two-thirds later died of Aids-related illnesses. Some of those infected unintentionally gave HIV to their partners. | Around two-thirds later died of Aids-related illnesses. Some of those infected unintentionally gave HIV to their partners. |
| Another 2,400 to 5,000 people developed Hepatitis C on its own, which can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer. | Another 2,400 to 5,000 people developed Hepatitis C on its own, which can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer. |
| Calculating the exact number of people infected with Hepatitis C is difficult, partly because it can take decades for symptoms to appear. | Calculating the exact number of people infected with Hepatitis C is difficult, partly because it can take decades for symptoms to appear. |
| Colin Smith, who died aged seven, was one of 380 children now thought to have been infected with HIV through contaminated blood products. | Colin Smith, who died aged seven, was one of 380 children now thought to have been infected with HIV through contaminated blood products. |
| Colin Smith, who died aged seven, was one of 380 children now thought to have been infected with HIV through contaminated blood products. | Colin Smith, who died aged seven, was one of 380 children now thought to have been infected with HIV through contaminated blood products. |
| A second group of patients was given a contaminated blood transfusion after childbirth, surgery or other medical treatment between 1970 and 1991. | A second group of patients was given a contaminated blood transfusion after childbirth, surgery or other medical treatment between 1970 and 1991. |
| The inquiry estimates between 80 and 100 were infected with HIV, and about 27,000 with Hepatitis C. | The inquiry estimates between 80 and 100 were infected with HIV, and about 27,000 with Hepatitis C. |
| In total, it's thought about 2,900 people have died as a result of the scandal. | In total, it's thought about 2,900 people have died as a result of the scandal. |
| Tainted blood: The woman who lost two husbands | Tainted blood: The woman who lost two husbands |
| Tainted blood: The woman who lost two husbands | |
| The secret in my blood | The secret in my blood |
| The secret in my blood | |
| I lost my mum, dad and baby sister to HIV in infected blood scandal | |
| I lost my mum, dad and baby sister to HIV in infected blood scandal | |
| Why did the infected blood scandal happen? | Why did the infected blood scandal happen? |
| In the 1970s, the UK was struggling to meet the demand for blood-clotting treatments, so imported supplies from the US. | In the 1970s, the UK was struggling to meet the demand for blood-clotting treatments, so imported supplies from the US. |
| But much of the blood was bought from high-risk donors such as prison inmates and drug-users. | But much of the blood was bought from high-risk donors such as prison inmates and drug-users. |
| Factor VIII was made by pooling plasma from tens of thousands of donors. | Factor VIII was made by pooling plasma from tens of thousands of donors. |
| If just one was carrying a virus, the entire batch could be contaminated. | If just one was carrying a virus, the entire batch could be contaminated. |
| UK blood donations were not routinely screened for hepatitis C until 1991, 18 months after the virus was first identified in a laboratory. | UK blood donations were not routinely screened for hepatitis C until 1991, 18 months after the virus was first identified in a laboratory. |
| Jackie Britton, from Portsmouth, was infected with hepatitis C through a blood transfusion after the birth of her daughter in 1983. | Jackie Britton, from Portsmouth, was infected with hepatitis C through a blood transfusion after the birth of her daughter in 1983. |
| Jackie Britton, from Portsmouth, was infected with hepatitis C through a blood transfusion after the birth of her daughter in 1983. | |
| What did the authorities know about infected blood? | What did the authorities know about infected blood? |
| By the mid-1970s, there were repeated warnings that imported US Factor VIII carried a greater risk of viral infection. | By the mid-1970s, there were repeated warnings that imported US Factor VIII carried a greater risk of viral infection. |
| But attempts to make the UK more self-sufficient in blood products failed, so the NHS continued to use foreign supplies. | |
| 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. | 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. |
| BBC News has also uncovered evidence children were infected with hepatitis C and HIV after being placed on clinical trials of new treatments - often, without their family's consent. | BBC News has also uncovered evidence children were infected with hepatitis C and HIV after being placed on clinical trials of new treatments - often, without their family's consent. |
| As late as November 1983, the government insisted there was no "conclusive proof" that HIV could be transmitted in blood, a line robustly defended by former health minister Ken Clarke when he appeared before the inquiry. | As late as November 1983, the government insisted there was no "conclusive proof" that HIV could be transmitted in blood, a line robustly defended by former health minister Ken Clarke when he appeared before the inquiry. |
| By the end of 1985, all Factor VIII products were heat-treated to kill the HIV virus. | By the end of 1985, all Factor VIII products were heat-treated to kill the HIV virus. |
| Carolyn Challis: "I got through two life-threatening rounds of cancer only to be given another life-threatening illness" | Carolyn Challis: "I got through two life-threatening rounds of cancer only to be given another life-threatening illness" |
| Carolyn Challis: "I got through two life-threatening rounds of cancer only to be given another life-threatening illness" | Carolyn Challis: "I got through two life-threatening rounds of cancer only to be given another life-threatening illness" |
| When was the infected blood inquiry set up and when will it report? | When was the infected blood inquiry set up and when will it report? |
| The UK-wide infected blood inquiry was announced in 2017 after years of campaigning by victims. | The UK-wide infected blood inquiry was announced in 2017 after years of campaigning by victims. |
| It was led by former judge Sir Brian Langstaff, and took evidence between 2019 and 2023. | It was led by former judge Sir Brian Langstaff, and took evidence between 2019 and 2023. |
| The inquiry will publish its final report on 20 May. | The inquiry will publish its final report on 20 May. |
| It had been expected in autumn 2023, but Sir Brian said more time was needed to prepare "a report of this gravity". | It had been expected in autumn 2023, but Sir Brian said more time was needed to prepare "a report of this gravity". |
| Exact numbers are difficult to establish, but the Haemophilia Society believes 650 people infected with contaminated blood products, or their bereaved partners, have died since the inquiry was announced. | Exact numbers are difficult to establish, but the Haemophilia Society believes 650 people infected with contaminated blood products, or their bereaved partners, have died since the inquiry was announced. |
| Who gave evidence to the inquiry? | Who gave evidence to the inquiry? |
| One of the first to take the stand was Derek Martindale, who has haemophilia. He was diagnosed with HIV and given a year to live in 1985, aged 23. He survived but his brother - who was also infected with HIV - did not. | One of the first to take the stand was Derek Martindale, who has haemophilia. He was diagnosed with HIV and given a year to live in 1985, aged 23. He survived but his brother - who was also infected with HIV - did not. |
| The inquiry also heard harrowing testimony from former pupils at Treloar's, a specialist boarding school in Hampshire, where dozens of young haemophiliacs were infected with HIV. | The inquiry also heard harrowing testimony from former pupils at Treloar's, a specialist boarding school in Hampshire, where dozens of young haemophiliacs were infected with HIV. |
| Specialist haemophilia doctors working at the time also gave evidence, external. | |
| As well as Lord Clarke, the inquiry heard from former and current ministers in all four UK nations, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. | As well as Lord Clarke, the inquiry heard from former and current ministers in all four UK nations, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. |
| Five things we've learned from the inquiry | Five things we've learned from the inquiry |
| Five things we've learned from the inquiry | |
| Will victims of the infected blood scandal get compensation? | Will victims of the infected blood scandal get compensation? |
| Those infected have received annual financial support from the government, but a final compensation deal has not been agreed. | Those infected have received annual financial support from the government, but a final compensation deal has not been agreed. |
| In late 2022, following advice from the inquiry, the government made interim payments of £100,000 each to around 4,000 surviving victims and some bereaved partners. | In late 2022, following advice from the inquiry, the government made interim payments of £100,000 each to around 4,000 surviving victims and some bereaved partners. |
| In April 2023, Sir Brian said interim compensation should also be offered to the children and parents of those infected. | In April 2023, Sir Brian said interim compensation should also be offered to the children and parents of those infected. |
| He also recommended a final compensation scheme be set up, with the total cost likely to run into billions. | He also recommended a final compensation scheme be set up, with the total cost likely to run into billions. |
| The government has said it accepts the moral case for compensation but it would be "inappropriate" to respond before the inquiry's full report. | The government has said it accepts the moral case for compensation but it would be "inappropriate" to respond before the inquiry's full report. |
| In April 2024, ministers agreed to support a Labour amendment to the Victims and Prisoners Bill. It means a final compensation scheme for those affected by the scandal must be set up within three months of the legislation becoming law. | |
| What happened in other countries which were affected by infected blood? | What happened in other countries which were affected by infected blood? |
| Many other countries were affected by the same scandal, although some - including Finland - continued to stick with older treatments until much later rather than switch to Factor VIII, which minimised HIV infections, external. | |
| In the US, companies that supplied infected products have paid out millions of dollars in out-of-court settlements. | In the US, companies that supplied infected products have paid out millions of dollars in out-of-court settlements. |
| Politicians and drug companies have been convicted of negligence in other countries, including France and Japan. | Politicians and drug companies have been convicted of negligence in other countries, including France and Japan. |
| In his evidence to the inquiry, former health secretary Andy Burnham suggested there may be grounds for charges of corporate manslaughter, external in the UK. | |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Public health | Public health |
| UK infected blood inquiry | UK infected blood inquiry |
| Health | Health |
| NHS | NHS |