Killer transfusions will be investigated at last
A £3MILLION inquiry into why thousands of people were infected with killer viruses in blood transfusions was announced by the Scottish Government yesterday.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon described the scandal as “one of the most tragic episodes” in the health service’s history.
The announcement fulfils a key SNP manifesto commitment and represents a milestone victory for sufferers who have campaigned tirelessly for an inquiry for more than 15 years.
An independent team chaired by Lady Cosgrove, a former judge and sheriff, will investigate how blood and blood products tainted with hepatitis C and HIV infected patients.
It will also probe the deaths of Reverend David Black, 66, and Eileen O’Hara, 72, following a High Court ruling in February that Scottish authorities had breached human rights laws by not holding fatal accident inquiries.
This tragedy has blighted the lives of a number of people in Scotland
They both died in 2003 after becoming infected with hepatitis C following NHS treatment.
Solicitor Advocate Frank Maguire, of Thompsons Solicitors, who has campaigned on behalf of the families for three years, said they were “delighted” with the decision.
Ms Sturgeon said: “This tragedy has blighted the lives of a number of people in Scotland and we are committed to a thorough inquiry to get to the bottom of what happened.”
Lady Cosgrove’s remit is expected to include the sources of blood used by the NHS in Scotland at the time and whether heat treatment sterilisation should been introduced earlier.
Philip Dolan, chairman of the Scottish Forum of the Haemophilia Society, said it was tragic that several of the victims had died during the fight for an investigation.
He added: “This is a battle we have endeavoured to fight for years. We’ve had so many obstacles put in our way.”
Brian Adam, MSP for Aberdeen North, has campaigned on the issue since the parliament was created in 1999.
He said: “These answers are long overdue and it has taken two terms of parliament and finally a change of administration to see it happen.”
Mary Scanlon MSP, Tory health spokeswoman, welcomed the inquiry but urged Ms Sturgeon to revisit the question of compensation payments.
She added: “Nothing can undo the pain and suffering to individuals and their families, but this is an important step.”
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