Sam Lister - Times Online
Despite a life plagued with ill health after a blood transfusion contaminated with hepatitis B and C, David Fielding, 53, considers himself the lucky one in his family. His brother, also a haemophiliac, contracted HIV after a similar transfusion and died in 1990 at the age of 46.
Mr Fielding, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, said that he and his family felt his brother had been “murdered” by the health system. He said that the conclusion of the Archer inquiry would finally give them some sense of closure.
“Even now, 19 years on after his death, what he went through mentally, I don’t want to contemplate,” Mr Fielding said. “My family believe my brother was murdered, and I stick by that.”
Mr Fielding gave evidence on the first day of the inquiry and attended every subsequent hearing. He was determined to see the truth about what happened come to light after many years in the shadows.
“I still can’t deal with things unless there’s some form of justice for my brother and for what my family’s gone through,” he said. “This has affected thousands of people. You’re looking at widows, children, mums, dads – we’re talking about babies who are infected.”
Mr Fielding said that he was not offered any counselling when he was told he had hepatitis C in 1993.
“I was told to go home and lead my life, that there was nothing to worry about at all.”
But there was plenty to worry about – as a result of his hepatitis he developed cirrhosis of the liver and by October 1998 he urgently needed a transplant.
Shortly before the procedure he married his wife in Manchester Royal Infirmary, fearing that he would not survive. “I just didn’t think I was going to make it, and I had three young kids.
“A week later I was on the operating table undergoing a transplant. I just deteriorated that quickly.
“But I’m here 10 years on to tell my story.”
Mr Fielding said that he was very grateful for his liver transplant, which allowed him to see his children grow up. His daughter is now pregnant and he is looking forward to seeing his first grandchild. But he has had to give up his work as a watch and clock repairer because of health problems, and he believes there should be more compensation for those who suffered in the blood contamination scandal.
“I don’t think I will be here in five or ten years’ time. I need to make sure that my children are going to be OK,” he said. “People tried to cover up this story. Everybody hoped we would go away, but we’re resilient people, haemophiliacs.”
