It was dubbed “the worst scandal in the NHS history.” Britain’s blood scandal atrocity of the 1970s-1980s has changed the lives of thousands of British people. The heartache, anguish, and crippling effects are felt to this day.
Families Distraught
Some described it as a “death sentence,” with many having lost a parent, children, cousins, aunts, or uncles. The contaminated blood treatments of the 1970s and 1980s changed many people’s lives, leaving permanent damage.
Doubly Infected
Richard Warwick was one of the 30,000 victims robbed from leading a normal life. He was given two years to live after being infected with HIV and Hepatitis. If that wasn’t bad enough, later in his life, he was told by medical professionals that he shouldn’t have children because of the high transmission risk of HIV.
No Treatment
Warwick told BBC News in his interview that the hospital had also said there was no medication to treat him for HIV. He and his wife would never be able to have children.
The Unknown Haunts Them
Saddened when recalling what happened, he said he and his wife always thought about the child, stating, “If the child was born, would it live or would it die? Would it lose its father? He also added that not knowing has always been the “biggest impact” of him and his wife’s lives.
It Started at His School
Warwick shared his story, explaining how it all began. He spoke to various news outlets about the injustice done to him and other individuals and families. Treloar was offering “experimental trials” to treat Haemophilia in children. It touted itself as a specialist school in Hampshire for treating Haemophilia, The Guardian reported.
What Is Haemophilia?
The blood clotting disorder Haemophilia results in profuse bleeding as the blood platelets don’t clot as they should. Having this condition is life-altering and debilitating. A cure or treatment would’ve been wonderful for anyone given the opportunity.
“Children Cheaper Than Chimps”
Warwick said the scandal viewed “children cheaper than chimps,” the children in the program and attending the school were very young.
“Treatment” for Haemophilia
The treatment opportunity was great, and Warwick, along with many other children, went off to get the treatment. Innocently and excitedly, the children and their parents were happy about the breakthrough.
Scores of Children Lose Their Lives
At Trelaor, he and the other children’s lives changed for the worse. Of the 122 children at the school receiving the treatment, 80 had passed away because of the infected blood products. In later years, the “treatment” would claim more people’s lives.
Insensitivity Was Unreal
An Inquiry led by Sir Brian Langstaff unveiled many more atrocities within the infected blood scandal. At the school where the children were infected, the diagnosis of a child infected was simply a “yes” or “no” indication as the staff moved from one child’s bed to another.
Not Enough Information for Parents
The parents of the children weren’t informed of the full extent of it all. According to the inquiry findings, the parents were also not fully informed about healthcare options now that their children had been induced with diseases.
Years of Injustice
The injustice of the scandal broke many families, and for some, it’s too late. 3,000 people have already passed away since being treated with infected blood. Warwick mentioned that he wished they had helped the people twenty years ago, but instead, so many have passed, and so much time spent.
Years of “Denying” Families
Sir Langstaff said in an interview that victims should be paid out immediately as the families have been consistently denied over the years. Some even feel the government and health departments “gaslit” them for years.
“Lies” Told to Patients
Langstaff said patients were told that “nothing wrong had been done.” They were also “lied” to and told that they had and received the “best possible treatment available.
Only Recent Years Involved Testing
The Inquiry revealed that contaminated blood and blood products were used throughout those years. Only in 1991 was proper screening of donors and their blood performed.
Proper Investigation Years Later
The Hepatitis C Trust recalled the inquiry, which officially began in 2018, long after thousands of people were infected.
Payout for Victims & Families
Recently, the government announced it would pay those infected patients. For those who have already passed, their surviving families are said to receive compensation.
Not Everyone Will Receive the Same
The payout for victims affected by the contaminated blood would vary depending on the severity of their infections. Some are impacted more than others, while some had an acute infection of hepatitis that would later be cured. According to the UK government, interim payments are estimated at £100,000 – £200,000.
Funding Estimates
Warrick and other children who were infected at the school were also going to receive an additional payout. Payments would range between £15,000 to £2 million. The payouts are said to commence this year.
Government Dragged It’s Feet
Warwick said in an interview with The Guardian that “compensation won’t bring back anyones health, and it won’t bring back the children that were lost.” He also further said that the government must realise that this took so many years and many lost mortgages and pensions as a result of this blood scandal. Warwick called the UK government out, saying it had “dragged it’s feet,” while so many victims missed out on life.
Brace for Impact: The Tax Increase Labour Denied Has Arrived, Reeves Delivers a Grim Outlook
Rachel Reeves delivers the gloomy news, and citizens have to accept the inevitable. The tax increase might complicate finances for some households and businesses. Brace for Impact: The Tax Increase Labour Denied Has Arrived, Reeves Delivers a Grim Outlook
Russia Issues Ultimatum to UK Over Ukraine’s Use of British Arms
Russia has threatened to attack British targets if Ukraine uses UK-supplied weapons amid rising tensions and the recent arrest of a British man charged with spying for Russia. Here’s the full story. Russia Issues Ultimatum to UK Over Ukraine’s Use of British Arms
Tommy Robinson Sparks National Outrage With Far-Right ‘We Want Our Country Back’ Protest in London
Police had their work cut out at a recent protest led by Tommy Robinson in London. Full story. Tommy Robinson Sparks National Outrage With Far-Right ‘We Want Our Country Back’ Protest in London
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Vach cameraman.