On Monday Sir Brian Langstaff, Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry, published the final report of the Inquiry to a packed Methodist Central Hall Westminster. It has been a long time coming, but it has been worth the wait.
Sir Brian started his presentation by saying the report was not his, but the collective views of those who had given evidence to the Inquiry. In addition to documentary evidence, almost 5,000 people gave evidence to the Inquiry, very nearly 4,000 of whom were people infected and affected; further evidence was gathered from over a hundred more who spoke to the Inquiry intermediaries.
He went on to say that “I have to report a catalogue of failures which caused this to happen. Each on its own is serious. Taken together they are a calamity. I have to report that it could largely, though not entirely, have been avoided. And I have to report that it should have been.”
The failings identified are across government, blood services and the medical profession and contributed to the catastrophic infections with HIV and Hepatitis which continue to have a devastating impact on our community today. The report identifies the lessons that must be learnt to ensure this can never happen again.
This sets the tone for the remained of the report which extends to 7 volumes and is now published on the Inquiry website: Infected Blood Inquiry Report
He identified that the scale of what happened was horrifying. The most accurate estimate is that more than 3,000 deaths are attributable to infected blood, blood products and tissue.
The report is extremely detailed. It states that infections, leading to deaths, illness and suffering were caused needlessly and many infections could have been prevented.
An outline of the 12 Inquiry recommendations are enclosed here.
Bill Wright, Co-Chair of Haemophilia Scotland said the following shortly after the report was revealed:
“Everything that we have known for decades has been vindicated and the failings on all levels and harms caused by this are now there for all to see. This report has shattered the defences of those who for decades wanted us to go away.”
The Prime Minister, speaking in Parliament after publication of the report said it was “a day of shame for the British state” after the Infected Blood Inquiry identified a “catalogue of systemic, collective and individual failures that amounted to a calamity”. He said, “At every level, the people and institutions in which we place our trust failed in the most harrowing and devastating way.”
“Layer and layer upon hurt, endured across decades, this is an apology from the State to every single person impacted by the scandal.”
“It did not have to be this way. It should never have been this way.”
He promised to pay “comprehensive compensation” to those affected and infected by the scandal.
“Whatever it costs to deliver this scheme, we will pay it,” he added, saying details would be set out on Tuesday.
Update 22 May 10:00am:
John Glen’s statement and Haemophilia Scotland’s reaction to the information released on the Infected Blood Compensation Authority, the compensation scheme, and the findings of the Expert Group will be available as soon as we have studied the documents and considered the implications more fully.