North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood has today backed calls for the UK Government to hold a full public inquiry into the contaminated blood tragedy of the 1970s and 1980s.
In the 1970s and 1980s, a proportion of blood products supplied to patients by the NHS was contaminated with HIV or hepatitis C. Around 4,670 patients with haemophilia, a blood clotting disorder, were infected; over 2,000 have since died in the UK, with 70 in Wales, from the effects of these viruses.
Successive UK Governments have since refused to hold a public inquiry into these events.
Speaking in today’s Assembly Debate calling for the UK Government to hold a full public inquiry into the matter, Mr Isherwood said:
“The 2009 independent inquiry under Lord Archer made strong recommendations to Government, some of which have been implemented. In 2008 the Scottish Government set up a public inquiry under Lord Penrose.
“Following publication of the Final Report of the Penrose Inquiry in March 2015, David Cameron apologised for the Contamination Disaster and promised to improve financial support.
“Nicola Sturgeon also apologised and - following a full consultation with those affected - announced a new Scottish scheme focusing on those in most need.
“Following a 2016 consultation, the UK Government announced a support package of £125 million to improve support for victims in England, with devolved administrations taking responsibility for future schemes and payments.
“In October 2016 the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport here announced “as an interim measure, payments for the remainder of the 2016-17 financial year will be at the same levels as England” – adding: “However those affected may have ideas about how this money can best be used to assist them in everyday living and planning for the future. To inform our future arrangements, I am now seeking further views on a new scheme from April 2017”.
“The Irish Republic’s scheme is widely heralded by victims as the best model, offering a choice of a one off payment or ongoing payments, life assurance and mortgage protection, and a Health amendment card which ensures access to treatment and support.
“Contaminated blood has had – and continues to have – a devastating impact on the lives of thousands of people with haemophilia and their families. Those infected live with the health effects of viruses, with more deaths each year.
“As Haemophilia Wales states: ‘A Public Inquiry is the only way forward to get to the truth about the State’s mishandling of these events’.”