NEWS RELEASE
The results of the high level independent public inquiry into the supply of “bad blood” to thousands of haemophilia patients, described by Lord Robert Winston as, “the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS”, will be published today, Monday 23 February 2009.
Formerly Solicitor General The Rt Hon Lord Archer of Sandwell QC, who chaired the Inquiry, will reveal the outcome at a news conference at 10.30am in the IPU (Inter Parliamentary Union) Room, off Westminster Hall, House of Commons, Westminster, London on Monday 23rd February 2009.
Nearly 2,000 haemophilia patients who were exposed to HIV and/or Hepatitis C by contaminated NHS blood and blood products have died since being infected.Many more are terminally ill.Of 4,670 patients exposed to Hepatitis C, 1,243 were also exposed to HIV.
Following the refusal of successive Governments to hold a Public Inquiry into the disaster, the Rt Hon Lord Morris of Manchester, Britain’s first Minister for Disabled People and President of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Haemophilia announced the launch of an independent public inquiry on 19 February 2007.
Lord Archer was joined in his investigation by Dr Norman Jones, Emeritus Consulting Physician to St Thomas’ Hospital, London, Ms Judith Willetts, Chief Executive of the British Society for Immunology and was assisted by Lord Turnberg, past President of the Royal College of Physicians.
Evidence was given in public for the first time, by former Health Ministers, The Rt Hon Lord Owen and The Rt Hon Lord Jenkin of Roding, MPs, medical experts, patients, bereaved dependants, and others.
Haemophilia is a hereditary bleeding disorder for which there is still no cure.The introduction of clotting factors, however, helped sufferers to live something like normal lives although, regular injections of a clotting concentrate derived from human blood plasma are necessary.
Some donated blood carried deadly contaminants.Many treated with such bad blood and blood products have suffered severe ill health, financial and other hardship.
Lord Archer will make a statement presenting his Report and then take questions from journalists only.
Members of the public wishing to attend should allow enough time to pass through security and bring some photo identification with them, as the Palace of Westminster may require it.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
The Press Conference on the Inquiry Report will be on:
Monday 23February 2009 starting at 10:30am sharp.
The venue will be at the IPU (Inter Parliamentary Union) Room, just off Westminster Hall, House of Commons, London.
Still, moving cameras, and sound recording equipment may be brought to the Inquiry press conference room and priority will be given to the media.
Bidding for interviews, after the press conference, with Lord Archer, Dr Norman Jones and Lord Morris of Manchester, should be made to Mr Vijay Mehan on tel: 020 7291 6579 or 07866 588691; e-mail: vijay.mehan@fentons.co.uk
Members of the media who wish to attend should also register their interest with the Secretary to the Inquiry, Mr Vijay Mehan on tel: 020 7291 6579 or 07866 588691; e-mail: vijay.mehan@fentons.co.uk
For further information please tale a look at:
www.archercbbp.com
