tv BBC News Now BBC News May 20, 2024 12:00pm-12:31pm BST
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more than ”50,000 people documents. more than 30,000 people were infected with hiv and hepatitis c here in the uk between 1970 and 1991 because of contaminated blood products. today, they will hear why. hello, iam hello, i am rajini vaidyanathan coming to you live from central london. 0utside coming to you live from central london. outside a building where, today, an inquiry into the uk's biggest ever health scandal will release its final report. we are expecting that in the next half an hour. more than 30,000 people in the uk were infected with hiv and
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hepatitis c. after they were given infected blood products by the national health service here in the 19705 national health service here in the 1970s and 1980s. many of them have since died and others online in the onto their partners who also died. victims and their families have spent decades looking for answers to their questions and fighting for compensation. we begin our coverage with this explainer. oh, it is known as the biggest treatment disaster in nhs history. and so far we know that 3000 people have died in the uk from infected blood and infected blood products given by the nhs. 0verall, 30,000 victims have been identified and these fall into two main categories. there are the people with rare genetic blood clotting disorders such as the haemophiliacs, and there are people who needed blood transfusions after surgery, for example. so let's start with this first group, the haemophiliacs. people with blood clotting disorders, they need a special
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protein called factor viii, or factor ix injected which helps the blood clot. but by the 1970s the uk was really struggling to meet demand for these blood products and so they started to import from america but because america pays for blood plasma rather than it being donated for free, it came from a lot of high—risk individuals, including prisoners, drug addicts and those most in need for money. and so with these donations came some deadly viral infections such as hepatitis c and hiv. in the late �*70s, us drug companies were aware that the product was infected with viruses, including hepatitis, but they didn't take steps to stop the transmission. instead, what they did was they mixed together ever larger batch numbers of donations, sometimes up to 50,000 plasma donations would be mixed together in one batch. and it tookjust one infected donor to infect the entire batch. by 1983, the pharmaceutical companies were aware there was a link between haemophiliacs and hiv, but instead of raising the alarm,
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they kept it quiet. some medics and whistle—blowers did try to raise the alarm around the world but health officials did not listen. we now know that 1,250 people were infected with hiv and hepatitis c and had blood clotting disorders in this country. 320 of them were children and almost all have now died. now let's look at this second group of people, those with blood transfusions. they were given blood transfusions during surgery or after childbirth or an accident and they were given it infected with hepatitis c. it was known that blood transfusions could affect people with hepatitis as early as the 1970s, but those that were exposed weren't tested, even when test became available, and minimal effort was made to identify infected. even now, we still have people coming forward in this country who have just been diagnosed, decades after the infection. but often it is too late. hepatitis attacks the liver, leading to cirrhosis and eventually cancer, so a late diagnosis often comes with a dire prognosis.
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the inquiry said that through blood transfusion treatment up to 27,000 people were infected with hepatitis c, and between 80 and 100 got hiv. during the inquiry we heard from children that grew up as orphans, mothers who buried their children and husbands who unknowingly passed infections on to their wives. up as orphans, mothers who buried their children and husbands who unknowingly passed infections on to their wives. victims said they were ignored by doctors and they said they were treated as dirty or second—class citizens by the nhs. victims and their families waited a0 years for justice. the focus now is on compensation. you heard chloe hayward setting out to some of the background and the context to what is a quite
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complicated background to this investigation, this inquiry. i am joined now by my colleague kelly price. we heard from chloe about two different groups of people who have impacted by this and i would like to add a third in a second. firstly, haemophilia patients who were given this factor viii treatment. it was supposed to be a wonder drug to treat people who had haemophiliac in the early 1980s but the challenge was that the product that was coming from the us wasn't properly tested. is that right? it wasn't tested and it wasn't treated. ., . ., ., ., , treated. you could heat treat this stuff and you _ treated. you could heat treat this stuff and you could _ treated. you could heat treat this stuff and you could get _ treated. you could heat treat this stuff and you could get rid - treated. you could heat treat this stuff and you could get rid of - treated. you could heat treat thisl stuff and you could get rid of most of the infectious diseases, the problem is, if you like. at the time
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it was seen like a dream treatment because it helps many people with haemophilia and other blood —related disorders too, essentially, have this treatment that would ordinarily have taken a lot of treatment, a quick administration and they were 0k. as you say, the problem was that britain wasn't self—sufficient in blood at the time and blood has to be imported from abroad, the likes of the us where the regime wasn't necessarily quite so sensible as it might have been if you like, they were getting blood from the likes of prisoners and drug addicts because they were paying people for their blood. all this stuff was eventually thrown into a big batch. you could have blood donations from lots of people and it would only take one infected person to infect the whole batch, which is why we saw this big influx of infected blood product, which was then later used. that's the first example _ which was then later used. that's the first example of _ which was then later used. that's the first example of people - which was then later used. that's the first example of people who i which was then later used. that's i the first example of people who are impacted and we have met many people
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today haven't we, who are living the legacy of that, haemophilia patients, who now have hepatitis c. some people are grown men and they were first treated when they were children. . �* , were first treated when they were children._ the - were first treated when they were children._ the other l children. that's right. the other cate . o children. that's right. the other category is _ children. that's right. the other category is people _ children. that's right. the other category is people who - children. that's right. the other category is people who were - children. that's right. the other i category is people who were given transfusions. i have spoken to people, a woman whose mother had a transfusion in the early 1980s. she was infected with hiv and hepatitis c and died. figs was infected with hiv and hepatitis (and died. �* , was infected with hiv and hepatitis canddied. r was infected with hiv and hepatitis canddied. , , c and died. as you say, slightly different story _ c and died. as you say, slightly different story behind - c and died. as you say, slightly different story behind this - c and died. as you say, slightly different story behind this one | different story behind this one because if you are having a transfusion, it would only come for one person. clearly, this is where theissue one person. clearly, this is where the issue of not being able to test the issue of not being able to test the blood comes in. the blood transfusion, if you like, the blood you would get from one other person, our ghibli safer because you are only having the risk of one person being infected but if they are, as we have seen in many cases, it was an issue. all sorts of things, from people who had issues after childbirth, who had been an
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accident, people who may have even gone to the dentist and needed a bit of extra blood. as you say, two different areas but the same thing, the same issue, of the blood not being tested, not treated and, of course, we are hoping to hear the answers to the questions of at what point were those risks realised? were they ignored? and where they covered up? qm. were they ignored? and where they covered up?— were they ignored? and where they covered u? ., ~ ., covered up? 0k, thank you. the other category--- — the other category that we also didn't mention just then but is important to note are the family members who were also infected as a consequence, people's partners, for example, some who died, as well. it really is a reminder that this legacy runs wider than just the people who had those treatments. 0ne people who had those treatments. one of the things that might happen today, we are waiting to find out when that report is released in the next half an hour, is whether or not
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any compensation packages will be announced for the family members. many have been calling for an extensive compensation package. of course, it won't bring relatives back but it will bring some kind of accountability and of course will be one of the things they are demanding. as i said just then. for many people, it is about much more. let's listen to ciaran evans who lost a parent. throughout this whole inquiry i have felt confusion over compensation. i know money can be life changing but it isn't life replacing. the money doesn't compensate the suffering that the tainted blood scandal caused because no money can kill the victims alive today or bring back the ones we have lost. i'm frustrated that the money is somewhat drawing a line under the issue because the injustice can never be fixed. my dad was alive for the majority of this inquiry and it is really sad he can't be here today. in his first testimony, he said he hoped for closure but simultaneously acknowledged how close it is impossible for many
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affected. when questioned about the emotional toll, affected. when questioned about the emotionaltoll, he affected. when questioned about the emotional toll, he did not complain or express anger. he felt grateful for his friends and family around him. all i can say is i hope anyone affected by this topic can take it as an opportunity to hold those they love even tighter and not forget those they have lost. joining me now is james hatton in warwick and his sister katie walford in derby. their dad, david, was a haemophiliac infected with hiv and hep c. he passed away when james was 15 and katie was ten. thanks to you both forjoining us here on bbc news. how are you feeling today? for here on bbc news. how are you feeling today?— here on bbc news. how are you feelin: toda ? ., ~ ., feeling today? for me, i think today is iioin to feeling today? for me, i think today is going to be _ feeling today? for me, i think today is going to be bittersweet. - feeling today? for me, i think today is going to be bittersweet. it's - is going to be bittersweet. it's great to finally have this come to a conclusion and to have it all come out, hopefully. but as mentioned already, it doesn't really change
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much, doesn't really change the grief, the sadness, the despair that virtually all of the people affected will have felt. i hope for peace, in some sense. but, ultimately, i don't know... i think that's that's my honest answer. know. .. i think that's that's my honest answer.— know... i think that's that's my honest answer. katie, i apologise, i should say i — honest answer. katie, i apologise, i should say i don't _ honest answer. katie, i apologise, i should say i don't actually _ honest answer. katie, i apologise, i should say i don't actually know - should say i don't actually know your father's name and should say i don't actually know yourfather�*s name and i should say i don't actually know your father's name and i would should say i don't actually know yourfather�*s name and i would like to honour him by actually knowing his name, please tell me what your dad's name was and how he ended up having that blood transfusion or product in the first place. mi; product in the first place. my beautiful. — product in the first place. my beautiful, charismatic, hilarious dad, _ beautiful, charismatic, hilarious dad. his— beautiful, charismatic, hilarious dad, his name was david. he was one of the haemophiliacs, one of the _ he was one of the haemophiliacs, one of the two _ he was one of the haemophiliacs, one of the two avenues of how individuals got he was one of the haemophiliacs, one of the two avenues of how individuals got hepatitis c, hiv and he was a haemophiliac. his factorviii
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hepatitis c, hiv and he was a haemophiliac. his factor viii levels needed _ haemophiliac. his factor viii levels needed extra help. he couldn't produce — needed extra help. he couldn't produce the protein. the exact date of when _ produce the protein. the exact date of when turns got it from the transfusions is a bit up in the air. -- when — transfusions is a bit up in the air. -- when he — transfusions is a bit up in the air. —— when he got it. it very much impacted — —— when he got it. it very much impacted his ability to be present, be there _ impacted his ability to be present, be there for us. he was had a smile on his— be there for us. he was had a smile on his face, — be there for us. he was had a smile on his face, he was always playing his guitar, — on his face, he was always playing his guitar, he was always adapting and preparing us. he was a force of nature _ and preparing us. he was a force of nature that — and preparing us. he was a force of nature that left a detrimental gap in all— nature that left a detrimental gap in all of— nature that left a detrimental gap in all of us — nature that left a detrimental gap in all of us when he left.- nature that left a detrimental gap in all of us when he left. thank you for -a in: in all of us when he left. thank you for paying tribute, _ in all of us when he left. thank you for paying tribute, katie. _ in all of us when he left. thank you for paying tribute, katie. james, i for paying tribute, katie. james, just briefly, what are you hoping to come out of today?— come out of today? accountability. that is the true _ come out of today? accountability. that is the true thing _ come out of today? accountability. that is the true thing here - come out of today? accountability. that is the true thing here for - that is the true thing here for everyone. myself included. forso long, they've been ignored, unheard, ghosts, having a death sentence on them almost permanently from the
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moment they are told they are infected. there is a stigma that everyone has had. they think it needs to... i think people... finally, they've been heard. dad passed away but we are doing this for him for people who are still alive and fighting and deeply honoured to be part of a group that has fought so hard when i didn't think something like this would happen and would finally come. i am deeply grateful that this moment is sort of almost upon us. {lila deeply grateful that this moment is sort of almost upon us.— sort of almost upon us. 0k, james and katie, — sort of almost upon us. 0k, james and katie. do _ sort of almost upon us. 0k, james and katie, do stay _ sort of almost upon us. 0k, james and katie, do stay with _ sort of almost upon us. 0k, james and katie, do stay with us. - viewers on bbc two can keep up to date with the latest on the infected blood inquiry by scanning the qr code on the screen. if you are watching the bbc news channel let's continue the chat i have been having with james hatton and katie wolford. katie, james was just talking about accountability.
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in yourdad in your dad to's now, do you want the government to say something? do you want them to say sorry. there's a lot of talk and speculation we might get an apology today. that is the ti of might get an apology today. that is the tip of the _ might get an apology today. that is the tip of the iceberg. _ might get an apology today. that is the tip of the iceberg. i _ might get an apology today. that is the tip of the iceberg. i agree - might get an apology today. that is the tip of the iceberg. i agree with l the tip of the iceberg. i agree with everything — the tip of the iceberg. i agree with everything my brother said. an apology— everything my brother said. an apology is one thing. it is also the accountability that comes from that. the ability— accountability that comes from that. the ability to say that those in power — the ability to say that those in power before them had made decisions that made _ power before them had made decisions that made a _ power before them had made decisions that made a detrimental impact on thousands— that made a detrimental impact on thousands of people's lives and continue — thousands of people's lives and continue to do so. thousands of people's lives and continue to do 50. both the government and the nhs. 0ther continue to do 50. both the government and the nhs. other things i government and the nhs. other things i would _ government and the nhs. other things i would like _ government and the nhs. other things i would like to come from this is those _ i would like to come from this is those responsible who are still alive _ those responsible who are still alive to — those responsible who are still alive to face lawful consequences. as well _ alive to face lawful consequences. as well as— alive to face lawful consequences. as well as the compensation scheme. the dates— as well as the compensation scheme. the dates of— as well as the compensation scheme. the dates of the scheme for the
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parents — the dates of the scheme for the parents and children, as children have _ parents and children, as children have lreen— parents and children, as children have been a little bit put on the back— have been a little bit put on the back burner for quite a lot of the narrative, — back burner for quite a lot of the narrative, unfortunately. we back burner for quite a lot of the narrative, unfortunately.- narrative, unfortunately. we are showini narrative, unfortunately. we are showing a _ narrative, unfortunately. we are showing a picture _ narrative, unfortunately. we are showing a picture of— narrative, unfortunately. we are showing a picture of your - narrative, unfortunately. we are showing a picture of your dad i narrative, unfortunately. we are showing a picture of your dad on narrative, unfortunately. we are - showing a picture of your dad on the screen. james, another country like france, there have been prosecutions as well. is that what you would like? picking up from what katie was saying? like? picking up from what katie was sa in: ? ,., ., , like? picking up from what katie was sa in? ._ �* like? picking up from what katie was sa in? ._ ,, saying? personally, i can't speak for everyone- — saying? personally, i can't speak for everyone. personally, - saying? personally, i can't speak for everyone. personally, the - saying? personally, i can't speak- for everyone. personally, the damage is done. irreparable damage has been done. again, the key part is accountability. if a crime is committed, that needs to be resolved. 0bviously, severe negligence in this particular case and hopefully that is all proven in and hopefully that is all proven in a short matter of time. ultimately it doesn't give us back what we were
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robbed of, which is time with dad. 0ur robbed of, which is time with dad. our kids, his granddaughters, were robbed of that time. yes, to answer your question. but, ultimately, at this point, we need to take it one day at a time and then hopefully the truth will come out and justice is served. truth will come out and “ustice is served. ., ., ., , served. katie, one of the things that has really _ served. katie, one of the things that has really struck— served. katie, one of the things that has really struck me - served. katie, one of the things that has really struck me being| served. katie, one of the things - that has really struck me being here todayis that has really struck me being here today is just how many people have been impacted by this, from all walks of life. different ages. but as much as this is a huge tragedy for all of you individually, it has created a very uplifting, powerful community. i've seen it today, as people have arrived here to read the report in person. it people have arrived here to read the report in person-— i don't think individuals responsible would have ever thought that that _ responsible would have ever thought that that would have been the power
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of the _ that that would have been the power of the internet and connection. once some _ of the internet and connection. once some of— of the internet and connection. once some of them started telling their story, _ some of them started telling their story, bearing in mind even doctors were _ story, bearing in mind even doctors were advising parents, families, do not say— were advising parents, families, do not say anything because of the associated stigma at the time —— to not. associated stigma at the time —— to not the _ associated stigma at the time —— to not the fact — associated stigma at the time —— to not. the fact that people started talking _ not. the fact that people started talking and realising that their story— talking and realising that their story wasn't the only one enabled us to divert— story wasn't the only one enabled us to divert from this neglect, from this horrific disaster, the nhs disaster— this horrific disaster, the nhs disaster as it has been titled, came beautiful— disaster as it has been titled, came beautiful relationships. it happened despite _ beautiful relationships. it happened despite of. it happened because we are tenacious. and we know that we have been— are tenacious. and we know that we have been wronged on so many complex levels _ have been wronged on so many complex levels and _ have been wronged on so many complex levels. and we are fighting every day. levels. and we are fighting every day and — levels. and we are fighting every day. and even when the report is done, _ day. and even when the report is done, let's— day. and even when the report is done, let's not forget that it isn't all over. — done, let's not forget that it isn't all over, there's so much more that
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will have _ all over, there's so much more that will have to — all over, there's so much more that will have to come afterwards, like, for example, the compensation. we haven't_ for example, the compensation. we haven't really had any evidence to suggest _ haven't really had any evidence to suggest that's actually on the forefront of our government. it's going _ forefront of our government. it's going to — forefront of our government. it's going to be a continuation of fighting _ going to be a continuation of fighting. to going to be a continuation of fiiihtin. ., , w , going to be a continuation of fichctin. ., , ,., ., going to be a continuation of fiuhtin. ., , ,., ., fighting. to pick up on that, your mum did receive _ fighting. to pick up on that, your mum did receive some _ fighting. to pick up on that, your mum did receive some interim . mum did receive some interim compensation. was that around 100,000, is that right? what difference has that made to your family? we wouldn't like to speak on behalf of our— we wouldn't like to speak on behalf of our mum. what she was given is a very personal. — of our mum. what she was given is a very personal, very complex and painful— very personal, very complex and painful fact. very personal, very complex and painfulfact. i very personal, very complex and painful fact. i don't really want to take it _ painful fact. i don't really want to take it so — painful fact. i don't really want to take it so lightly. what she was paid wasm _ take it so lightly. what she was paid was... what i will say is what it did _ paid was... what i will say is what it did do _ paid was... what i will say is what it did do is — paid was... what i will say is what it did do is enable her a quality of life that _ it did do is enable her a quality of life that the mental health impact of having — life that the mental health impact of having her husband... i'm going to say— of having her husband... i'm going to say it. _
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of having her husband... i'm going to say it, murdered... gave her some sense _ to say it, murdered... gave her some sense of— to say it, murdered... gave her some sense of security. to be able to continue — sense of security. to be able to continue her progress. the continuation of any compensation will give — continuation of any compensation will give thousands of people the financial— will give thousands of people the financial security and ability to build — financial security and ability to build lives from this tragedy. and there _ build lives from this tragedy. and there are — build lives from this tragedy. and there are individuals who have been orphaned _ there are individuals who have been orphaned who, therefore, didn't have any of— orphaned who, therefore, didn't have any of that— orphaned who, therefore, didn't have any of that financial security that parents — any of that financial security that parents may well have given. people weren't _ parents may well have given. people weren't able to invest in careers. i had known — weren't able to invest in careers. i had known of the stories of people heing _ had known of the stories of people being fired wrongfully because of the hiv— being fired wrongfully because of the hiv status. it is the tip of the iceberg _ the hiv status. it is the tip of the iceberg in— the hiv status. it is the tip of the iceberg in our country finds it difficult — iceberg in our country finds it difficult to talk about money and i myself _ difficult to talk about money and i myself find it difficult to talk about — myself find it difficult to talk about money. itjust doesn't replace, _ about money. itjust doesn't replace, it does not heal, but at least _ replace, it does not heal, but at least it — replace, it does not heal, but at least it can _ replace, it does not heal, but at least it can help people build some security _ least it can help people build some security. gf least it can help people build some securi . .., , . least it can help people build some securi . , . , least it can help people build some securi. , ~ security. of course. a very valid and important _ security. of course. a very valid and important point, _ security. of course. a very valid
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and important point, no - security. of course. a very valid and important point, no money| security. of course. a very valid i and important point, no money can bring back yourfather, david. no money can compensate for the pain that you and your family have been through throughout this inquiry and, of course, when you are trying to get an of course, when you are trying to getan inquiry of course, when you are trying to get an inquiry off the ground, all of the families who are calling for one for so many years. james, that is going to be a conversation today, the call for compensation. i wonder if you had anything to add to what katie just had to say on that point best among nothing new, nothing that hasn't already been said. i just hasn't already been said. i “ust want to acid. fl hasn't already been said. i “ust want to add, sorry, i hasn't already been said. ijust want to add, sorry, separate i hasn't already been said. inst want to add, sorry, separate topic, i am eternally grateful for every campaigner that has been there, that has done tv. even if it is just contributing to the evidence required... my dad was my hero. anyone that did contribute, they are my heroes now, as well. i'm just
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eternally grateful for everything that everyone has done. hopefully this now puts us on a better path to healing. i don't know what it will look like for me. i don't know what it will look like for my sister. but every day that passes, it still hurts. but, at the same time, but a vindication now and hopefully we can all start to move forward.— all start to move forward. james, that's something _ all start to move forward. james, that's something that _ all start to move forward. james, that's something that quite - all start to move forward. james, that's something that quite a - all start to move forward. james, that's something that quite a fewj that's something that quite a few people i have spoken to today before they were going in to read the findings this morning said to me. that they feel vindicated. i spoke to a group of men who were all haemophilia patients about three decades ago. and they have contracted hepatitis c as a consequence. they said they were telling people about this for decades. and only now, now that this inquiry is coming to a conclusion, they finally feel heard. that's kind
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of what you're saying, isn't it, james? �* of what you're saying, isn't it, james? . ., , �* james? and about time, isn't it? i think so many _ james? and about time, isn't it? i think so many years _ james? and about time, isn't it? i think so many years have - james? and about time, isn't it? i think so many years have passed l james? and about time, isn't it? i. think so many years have passed that i think, eventually, think so many years have passed that ithink, eventually, peoplejust thought everyone will die off and thenit thought everyone will die off and then it would be done, is brutal and as grim as that sounds. i think there is at least an element of truth to that. —— as brutal. but to be heard and for people like me that had no voice at all, i had no platform on which to really kind of share what we were going through. as you rightly said, this community that has come up as a result of the tragedy is showing me that i'm not alone. it's showing my sister that not alone. having that in the background and for us as a family to know that at least it is a shared grief, which helps, believe it or
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not. again, the process itself is long. the battle isn't really done. for the people that are still alive, they are still suffering. 0ne for the people that are still alive, they are still suffering. one thing that i would like to think, though, is that the compensation process is done quickly to help those people that are still suffering directly that are still suffering directly that still have that ability to help make their lives that little bit better. , ., , make their lives that little bit better. , �* ., ., , better. james, i'm going to bring katie in on _ better. james, i'm going to bring katie in on this, _ better. james, i'm going to bring katie in on this, as _ better. james, i'm going to bring katie in on this, as well. - better. james, i'm going to bring katie in on this, as well. i - better. james, i'm going to bring katie in on this, as well. i think | katie in on this, as well. i think the one thing that is even more shocking about this entire scandal, the worst treatment scandal in the history of the national health service no less, is that it didn't just impact the people who got those transfusions or who were given the fact eight to treat their haemophilia, it has impacted family members —— factor viii. partners who also contracted the illness. it also impacted children. how has it impacted children. how has it impacted your wider family? wider
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family- -- as _ impacted your wider family? wider family--- as i _ impacted your wider family? wider family... as i sort _ impacted your wider family? wider family... as i sort of _ impacted your wider family? wider family... as i sort of touched - impacted your wider family? wider family... as i sort of touched on i impacted your wider family? wider family... as i sort of touched on it | family... as i sort of touched on it earlier, _ family... as i sort of touched on it earlier, our— family... as i sort of touched on it earlier, ourfamily family... as i sort of touched on it earlier, our family was encouraged not to— earlier, our family was encouraged not to talk— earlier, our family was encouraged not to talk about it. for so long, my mum — not to talk about it. for so long, my mum carried this secret. and then when _ my mum carried this secret. and then when the _ my mum carried this secret. and then when the wider family did find out, it brought — when the wider family did find out, it brought on such complex feelings, such fear. _ it brought on such complex feelings, such fear, such confusion, such anger~ — such fear, such confusion, such anger~ and _ such fear, such confusion, such anger. and that is something that, as the _ anger. and that is something that, as the generation passed, we were all sort _ as the generation passed, we were all sort of— as the generation passed, we were all sort of carrying. i had cousins who— all sort of carrying. i had cousins who continuously remind me of the love that _ who continuously remind me of the love that they had for their uncle. and how— love that they had for their uncle. and how his death impacted them so much _ and how his death impacted them so much. knowing they didn't have the full story— much. knowing they didn't have the full story because of the advice my mum _ full story because of the advice my mum and — full story because of the advice my mum and dad was given and the fear of that, _ mum and dad was given and the fear of that, it _ mum and dad was given and the fear of that, it remoulded the grief into something else and it is difficult
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to describe. it is something we all carry— to describe. it is something we all carry and — to describe. it is something we all carry and we have our way of dealing and mourning. in this type of thing, any kind _ and mourning. in this type of thing, any kind of— and mourning. in this type of thing, any kind of death, it never goes away _ any kind of death, it never goes away. any— any kind of death, it never goes away. any significant event, any birthday, — away. any significant event, any birthday, any time my daughter and my nieces _ birthday, any time my daughter and my nieces grow a year older, it's always— my nieces grow a year older, it's always on— my nieces grow a year older, it's always on the back of my mind that granddad _ always on the back of my mind that granddad david is not here. that's never— granddad david is not here. that's never going — granddad david is not here. that's never going to go away.— never going to go away. katie, james, never going to go away. katie, james. in _ never going to go away. katie, james, in honour— never going to go away. katie, james, in honour of— never going to go away. katie, james, in honour of your - never going to go away. katie, i james, in honour of your father, james, in honour of yourfather, david, thank you very much for speaking to us today and for sharing your thoughts ahead of the findings, which we are due to receive in the next five minutes. we really appreciate you sharing your story at what is a very difficult and emotional day for you, understandably. thank you for joining us on bbc news. thank you very much- —
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speaking to families affected, here is our correspondence. eileen is backin is our correspondence. eileen is back in her childhood home now owned by her brother. this here was where all the chaos happened. she grew up here with her siblings and her dad, a single parent. he were a good man. for a man to do that in the �*70s and look after his five children on his own is, to me, amazing. it's everything. so, yeah, i've got nothing but admiration for my dad. but ted burkert had the blood disorder haemophilia and was given a contaminated treatment. in 1985 he tested positive for hiv, but kept it a secret from his children untiljust before his death. we all were younger than 16 when my dad got infected and dad had to bring us up with the hurt and pain that he were going through and not telling us. looking at us all thinking, "i'm not going to see them grow up. "i'm going to be gone in a couple of years." it's just wrong, it's wrong.
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and the hurt and pain, it needs recognising, yeah. families like these have been campaigning for decades, wanting to know how 30,000 nhs patients were infected with hiv or hepatitis c after being given contaminated treatments and blood transfusions. i would like to know who knew, what they knew, when they knew. if some of this, if not all of this, could have been prevented in some way. good morning, sirjohnny. in 2017, a full public inquiry was finally announced, chaired by sir brian langstaff. it saw new documents released and witnesses give evidence under oath. and nothing but the truth... its final report will have to answer some key questions, including what was known about the risks at the time. did the government, nhs and drug companies respond quickly enough to warnings, and was there an attempt to cover up what happened?
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andy evans is another waiting for this day for a long time. i think this will be probably the defining moment. i think this is where we pin our hopes, really. we don't really have anywhere else to go after this. as a child, he was infected with both hepatitis c and hiv. he's hoping for both answers and accountability. it seems like it may be as damning as we think it will be, and it will criticise those people who have made mistakes or deliberately done wrong. and i think that will go a long way to being the kind ofjustice that people want. the government has already said this was a tragedy that never should have happened. it's set to announce more details of a full compensation scheme for all those affected, possibly within days.
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0ur correspondence speaking to some of those infected by the contaminated blood scandal. i'm standing outside the building where this morning families and other people have been reading through that report. it ran to thousands of pages, i'm told. and in the next minute or so muddy findings are going to be made public. —— the findings are going to be made. this is bbc news. let's go live now to my colleague, hugh pym, who has the findings from that report. teiiii colleague, hugh pym, who has the findings from that report.— findings from that report. tell us what is in it. _ findings from that report. tell us what is in it. it _ findings from that report. tell us what is in it. it is _ findings from that report. tell us what is in it. it is a _ findings from that report. tell us what is in it. it is a very - findings from that report. tell us what is in it. it is a very long - what is in it. it is a very long report, 2500 pages but it is the most devastating critique of government in the uk for as long as
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i can remember and a pack many decades to the beginning of the scandal in the 1970s. the chair as saying that successive governments, and to an extent the nhs were responsible and their leaders have failed consistently the victims of this terrible scandal. to take some quotes from sir brian langstaff in the report, it is a catalogue of failures, one that could largely have been avoided and it should have been. this is something that didn't need to happen. evenjudged by modern day standards. he is quite clear that yes things were different backin clear that yes things were different back in the 70s and 80s, the early 90s, but he is taking a judgment that he thinks is reasonable and this is the sort of conclusion he has come true. i have to report
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