Background to the circumstances of infected blood scandal

Many of those who were infected with contaminated blood also suffered the social stigma of a HIV diagnosis at a dark time in our history.

There was mass public hysteria, prejudice and ignorance around AIDS (the HIV virus) which was sweeping the world and coming to the forefront of public and media attention. 

Tabloid newspapers ran headlines screaming 'Gay Plague' and government-sponsored public information adverts used images of the Grim Reaper and also tombstones to promote safe sex practices.

American film star Rock Hudson died from AIDS-related complications in October 1985 and this fuelled the vilification of the gay community and anyone else known to have contracted HIV.

In 1987, Conservative health minister Edwina Currie, took it upon herself to announce that "good Christian people would not get AIDS".

People were frightened. Many chose not to talk publicly, some families chose to lie about cause of death if they had been infected with HIV. 

Recommended Reading: Tony Farrugia's father was given infected blood 

The Public Inquiry

 In September 2018, a public inquiry was launched to examine the circumstances of how so many people could have been infected over such a long period of time.

The four-year inquiry, chaired by Sir Brian Langstaff, looked at the impact on victims and families. It also set out to establish how the authorities, including the NHS and Government, responded.

Sir Brian also dealt with the nature of any support provided following infection; questions of consent; and crucially, who knew what, and when.

Thousands of documents, statements and patient medical records were put before the inquiry. Live evidence was heard from some of those who were infected with contaminated blood as well as the family members of those who died.

Des Collins, founder and senior partner at Collins who represented many victims and families, says the evidence clearly shows there were warnings about the dangers of AIDS from infected blood in the 1980s that were ignored.

Des Collins represented many of the victims and their families. (Image: Des Collins)