Alistair Burt MP: An open wound – the Contaminated Blood debate

Alistair Burt MP questions how to satisfactorily resolve the tragic case of tainted blood transfusions and its many unanswered questions. In the 1970s and early 80s a tragedy developed through the NHS which has never satisfactorily been resolved. Many in the haemophiliac community, though not them exclusively, were treated with blood and blood products which carried hepatitis C. They were not told of the risk. Nearly 5000 were affected, of which some 1200 were found to have been infected with HiV as well. Of those 1200 only just over 300 are still alive, and the total number of deaths which has resulted total at least 1800. The scale of such tragedy, which of course has engulfed families and loved ones also, is huge. But the tragedy has been compounded over the years by the treatment of those affected. Firstly by the arguments over what was known by the governments and health authorities at the time, of the risks attached to unscreened blood obtained from overseas sources, including those who were likely to have a higher propensity to infectious diseases than others. Secondly by the resistance of authority to the uncovering of information, papers destroyed ‘in error’, and the failure to hold a public inquiry or bring key figures to account. Thirdly by the sometimes unfeeling medical treatment of those affected, characterised by a lack of communication or consent to medical procedure, and finally by an initial reluctance to appreciate the financial and other needs of sufferers and their dependants, leading to an understandably angry and deeply frustrated community who felt cheated by a state which had failed them. Some of the testimony of sufferers is heart-breaking to read, and must have been unbearable to experience. Today’s debate, allowed by the Back Bench business community, builds on work carried out this year by MPs. The APPG for Haemophilia has conducted an extensive survey of the financial provision for those affected, and the charitable mechanisms which deliver it, and I and a number of others have conducted a more wide ranging survey trying to understand what would best put this issue to rest. In recent years, successive Governments have attempted to redress the past, but without sufficient conviction to complete the task. Issues which still need raised are how, if not through an Inquiry, can some of the questions surrounding who and what was known be answered? Is there a better mechanism for financial and other support than the present one? Will there ever be, as with Hillsborough and Bloody Sunday, an apology from the state of what was perpetrated upon people? Until there are better answers than there have been up to now, this wound in our society will remain unhealed.