Transfusion Inquiry Continues
A government Inquiry, which is dealing with the scandal involving blood transfusions carried out in the 1980's has uncovered a number of startling deficiencies.
The Archer Inquiry has been ongoing since early 2007 and was due to report in July of this year but has been delayed.
According to sources within the Inquiry, a number of important documents have come to light, which will push back the outcome until all new information has been analysed.
It is hoped that the final analysis will be available by the end of the year and will shed even more light on the contentious procedures.
The Inquiry Since the first meeting of the Inquiry on the 27th of March 2007 it has been found that nearly 5000 haemophiliacs were infected with Hepatitis C of which, nearly 1200 were also infected with HIV.
According to government figures, nearly 1800 people who were infected have subsequently died.
Many of the people who contracted these deadly illnesses also had no idea that they had been infected and often the diagnosis only came after many years of bad health.
This lack of knowledge clearly poses a great risk to the health of not just the person who received the transfusion but also could well have ended up infecting other family members and lovers.
A case which was brought to light during the inquiry was that of an eight year old girl who had been infected with HIV at birth.
Giving Evidence Peter Stevens, who is the head of the support group the Eileen Trust, which looks after the interests of people infected with HIV by the NHS, spoke about the dire consequences: "We have people who have been HIV-positive for over 20 years and have received no medical attention for that condition until quite recently.
I cannot believe the latest registrant is the last.
There are others out there who have HIV and are in the community, who may be married.
They are a source of further infection.
I think it's a very serious problem.
" Stevens was among those who were called to give evidence before the inquiry who expressed concern at the procedures in place that were supposed to deal with incidents of this sort.
He pointed out that "the Department of Health are turning away from their responsibility" not only terms of follow-up help to sufferers but in the scant compensation of between £40,000 and £80,000.
"Because they didn't have bleeding disorders, no one followed them up and said: 'Oh, by the way, we pumped some contaminated blood into you" he added.
It has been estimated that over 200 million people worldwide are infected with Hepatitis C with 35% of those also HIV positive.
Darrell has more articles pertaining to medical negligence and other legal related articles.
The Archer Inquiry has been ongoing since early 2007 and was due to report in July of this year but has been delayed.
According to sources within the Inquiry, a number of important documents have come to light, which will push back the outcome until all new information has been analysed.
It is hoped that the final analysis will be available by the end of the year and will shed even more light on the contentious procedures.
The Inquiry Since the first meeting of the Inquiry on the 27th of March 2007 it has been found that nearly 5000 haemophiliacs were infected with Hepatitis C of which, nearly 1200 were also infected with HIV.
According to government figures, nearly 1800 people who were infected have subsequently died.
Many of the people who contracted these deadly illnesses also had no idea that they had been infected and often the diagnosis only came after many years of bad health.
This lack of knowledge clearly poses a great risk to the health of not just the person who received the transfusion but also could well have ended up infecting other family members and lovers.
A case which was brought to light during the inquiry was that of an eight year old girl who had been infected with HIV at birth.
Giving Evidence Peter Stevens, who is the head of the support group the Eileen Trust, which looks after the interests of people infected with HIV by the NHS, spoke about the dire consequences: "We have people who have been HIV-positive for over 20 years and have received no medical attention for that condition until quite recently.
I cannot believe the latest registrant is the last.
There are others out there who have HIV and are in the community, who may be married.
They are a source of further infection.
I think it's a very serious problem.
" Stevens was among those who were called to give evidence before the inquiry who expressed concern at the procedures in place that were supposed to deal with incidents of this sort.
He pointed out that "the Department of Health are turning away from their responsibility" not only terms of follow-up help to sufferers but in the scant compensation of between £40,000 and £80,000.
"Because they didn't have bleeding disorders, no one followed them up and said: 'Oh, by the way, we pumped some contaminated blood into you" he added.
It has been estimated that over 200 million people worldwide are infected with Hepatitis C with 35% of those also HIV positive.
Darrell has more articles pertaining to medical negligence and other legal related articles.
