| A government Inquiry, which is dealing with the | | | | Giving Evidence |
| scandal involving blood transfusions carried out in the | | | | Peter Stevens, who is the head of the support group |
| 1980's has uncovered a number of startling | | | | the Eileen Trust, which looks after the interests of |
| deficiencies. | | | | people infected with HIV by the NHS, spoke about |
| The Archer Inquiry has been ongoing since early | | | | the dire consequences: |
| 2007 and was due to report in July of this year but | | | | "We have people who have been HIV-positive for |
| has been delayed. According to sources within the | | | | over 20 years and have received no medical |
| Inquiry, a number of important documents have | | | | attention for that condition until quite recently. I |
| come to light, which will push back the outcome until | | | | cannot believe the latest registrant is the last. There |
| all new information has been analysed. | | | | are others out there who have HIV and are in the |
| It is hoped that the final analysis will be available by | | | | community, who may be married. They are a source |
| the end of the year and will shed even more light on | | | | of further infection. I think it's a very serious |
| the contentious procedures. | | | | problem." |
| The Inquiry | | | | Stevens was among those who were called to give |
| Since the first meeting of the Inquiry on the 27th of | | | | evidence before the inquiry who expressed concern |
| March 2007 it has been found that nearly 5000 | | | | at the procedures in place that were supposed to |
| haemophiliacs were infected with Hepatitis C of | | | | deal with incidents of this sort. He pointed out that |
| which, nearly 1200 were also infected with HIV. | | | | "the Department of Health are turning away from |
| According to government figures, nearly 1800 people | | | | their responsibility" not only terms of follow-up help |
| who were infected have subsequently died. | | | | to sufferers but in the scant compensation of |
| Many of the people who contracted these deadly | | | | between £40,000 and £80,000. |
| illnesses also had no idea that they had been infected | | | | "Because they didn't have bleeding disorders, no one |
| and often the diagnosis only came after many years | | | | followed them up and said: 'Oh, by the way, we |
| of bad health. | | | | pumped some contaminated blood into you" he |
| This lack of knowledge clearly poses a great risk to | | | | added. |
| the health of not just the person who received the | | | | It has been estimated that over 200 million people |
| transfusion but also could well have ended up | | | | worldwide are infected with Hepatitis C with 35% of |
| infecting other family members and lovers. A case | | | | those also HIV positive. |
| which was brought to light during the inquiry was that | | | | Darrell has more articles pertaining to medical |
| of an eight year old girl who had been infected with | | | | negligence and other legal related articles. |
| HIV at birth. | | | | |