VICTIMS of the infected blood scandal have described feeling "emotional and nervous" as the final report into the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS is due to be published. The Infected Blood Inquiry will conclude today after decades of "tireless" work by campaigners. Around 3,000 people have died and more than 30,000 infected with viruses like hepatitis C and HIV since the NHS used unsafe blood treatments in the 1970s, 80s and early 90s.
Many needed blood transfusions for accidents, in surgery or during childbirth, and patients with certain blood disorders were treated with donated blood plasma products or blood transfusions. It has been estimated that one person dies as a result of infected blood every four days. Those affected are expected to receive an apology from Rishi Sunak and be promised compensation up to £10billion.
The inquiry was first announced by former prime minister Theresa May in 2017, with the first official hearing held on April 20, 2019. It is one of the largest ever UK public inquiries. Some 374 people have given oral evidence, and the inquiry has received more than 5,000 witness statements and reviewed more than 100,000 documents.
The chairman of the inquiry, Sir Brian Langstaff, previously said that "wrongs were done at individual, collective and systemic levels". Campaigners have hailed the publication of the report as the "end of a 40-year fight". Suresh Vaghela, from Leicester , said he was feeling "nervous" ahead of the final repor.