First published on 9th May
Today, the BBC reported today that around 1,750 people in the UK are living with an undiagnosed hepatitis C infection after being given a transfusion with contaminated blood. In the report, the BBC claims that officials slowed detection rates and even sought to keep public awareness of the virus low. The British Liver Trust has been receiving increased calls as a result of the report.
Vanessa Hebditch, Director of Communications and Policy said “The people affected by this tragedy deserve not only to know the truth about exactly what happened and the degree of negligence that occurred but also to be adequately compensated.”
The Infected Blood Inquiry began on 2 July 2018. It aimed to examine why men, women and children in the UK were given infected blood and/or infected blood products; the impact on their families; how the authorities (including government) responded; the nature of any support provided following infection; questions of consent; and whether there was a cover-up. The inquiry has focussed on the transmission of hepatitis C and HIV before effective screening tests were available. The blood services began routinely screening donations for hepatitis B in 1972, screening for HIV in 1985 and screening for hepatitis C in 1991.
It has received written and oral evidence from hundreds of people. The government has previously committed to pay interim compensation of £100,000 to those who received infected blood or to their bereaved partners.
An Interim Report was published by the Inquiry in Spring 2023 and it is expected to publish its final report on 20 May 2024.
You can find out more here
Psychological support provided by the Inquiry | Infected Blood Inquiry
You can contact the confidential support service directly by calling 0800 458 9473 or 0203 417 0280 at these times:
- Monday between 11am and 1pm
- Wednesday between 7pm and 9pm
- Friday between 2pm and 4pm
You can also leave a message at another time and the team will call you back as soon as possible, and on the same day where that is practical. When returning calls their number will appear as private or withheld number.
If you think you might have had a blood transfusion in the 1970s, 80 or 90s or might have contracted hepatitis C in another way you can request a free NHS hepatitis C test at https://hepctest.nhs.uk
If you believe you have been diagnosed from infected blood or blood products then you can claim via the following governmental organisations. You can also contact the hepatitis C Trust for support with the application.
You should apply to the scheme in the country where you received the infected blood.
England Infected Blood Support Scheme
Tel: 0300 330 1294
Email: nhsbsa.eibss@nhs.net
Scotland Infected Blood Support Scheme
Tel: 0131 295 6754
Email: NSS.SIBSS@nhs.net
Wales Infected Blood Support Scheme
Tel: 02920 902 280
Email: wibss@wales.nhs.uk
Northern Ireland Blood Support Scheme
Tel: 02895 363 817
Email: bso.ibss@hscni.net
