Picture of Colt
Picture of Colt

Today the report of the findings of the Infected Blood Inquiry will be published. The inquiry was set up 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.  

In the 1970s and 1980s as many as 6,000 people with haemophilia and other bleeding disorders were treated with factor concentrates contaminated with HIV and hepatitis viruses. Almost all of them were infected with hepatitis C and around 1,250 people, including 380 children were also infected with HIV.

Recent revelations in the media concerning the historic experiments on children as part of the infected blood scandal and the recent broadcasts of Panorama and In Cold Blood show yet again how badly the victims of this scandal have been let down by those people who were supposed to be treating and protecting them. 

For some time I have been supporting Sarah and Troy, the brother and sister of Colt. Colt was infected with HIV when he was just three years old after being given infected Factor VIII treatment for haemophilia. He lived until he was 10 years old and his family have shared with me the heart breaking details of the way that he, and they, were treated by people who did not know or understand how HIV and AIDS were transmitted. Sarah told the Inquiry: 

“Colt was given treatment products without his parents’ consent and against their wishes.  When they became aware that some of the treatment wasn’t being screened, my Dad did a lot of research and expressly asked that the Haemophilia Centre not use FVIII concentrate from the USA that wasn’t treated.” 

Hearing from them has made me realise the true impact that this scandal has had and I am pleased that they are finally able to see the report detailing the findings of the Inquiry. Now I am calling on the Government to confirm when victims can expect to receive final compensation payments following the publication of Sir Brian Langstaff’s review.  

I salute the victims of this scandal, those both infected and affected, who have been fighting for too long and have finally felt able to give evidence to the Inquiry after staying silent for too long. I was proud to be able to support Troy and Sarah, who told me: 

“Until now we have never been able to share my story with anyone, it’s always been too painful, so we kept it locked away ……we are ready to be heard Colt fight for justice, justice for Colt, our brave little brother who no longer has a voice and never got to live his life.” 

If you would like to find out more please visit the Infected Blood Inquiry website: https://www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk/ 

 

Sarah and Troy with their brother Colt at Cadover Bridge
Sarah and Troy with their brother Colt at Cadover Bridge
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