UK Contaminated Blood Scandal: A Preventable Tragedy
The final report on the UK contaminated blood scandal confirms the tragedy was preventable. The inquiry documented missed opportunities, a cover-up spanning decades, and criticized the UK government's failure to protect haemophilia patients. Campaigners feel vindicated but remain distrustful of government promises.
The final report on the UK contaminated blood scandal, led by Sir Brian Langstaff, confirms that the tragedy was preventable.
The inquiry found numerous missed opportunities to mitigate risks and documented a cover-up that lasted decades.
Notably, 23 countries screened for hepatitis C before the UK did in 1991, and early warnings were ignored.
Langstaff criticized the UK government and health authorities for failing to protect haemophilia patients, who were infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products.
Campaigners feel vindicated but remain distrustful of government promises, as interim compensation to bereaved parents and children has not been paid.
Langstaff called for a progress report by the end of the year and warned that justice delayed is justice denied.