Blood infection inquiry set to end

Mar 30 2012

A long-running inquiry into how people were infected with hepatitis C and HIV from contaminated blood is holding its final evidence session.

Hundreds of people in Scotland, including people with haemophilia and other patients, were given contaminated blood in the 1970s and 1980s.

Lord Penrose has been hearing from some of them in his inquiry, which began three years ago at the instigation of the Scottish Government.

The first evidence session was held in March last year and over a total of 89 days Lord Penrose has heard from 60 witnesses. The inquiry has held a number of closed sessions, so patients and relatives of those affected could give evidence anonymously.

On Friday, legal representatives for the core participants in the inquiry will make closing submissions. Following that, Lord Penrose, a former Court of Session Judge, will write his final report on the matter.

Speaking before the final day of public hearings, Bill Wright of Haemophilia Scotland said the inquiry chairman "holds our hope in his hands".

Mr Wright, infected with hepatitis C through his treatment for haemophilia in the 1980s, said: "The battle to get this inquiry was long. Those infected have been through years of pain and suffering while waiting for it. Too many have not survived while waiting for it to take place.

"Lord Penrose thus carries a great burden of responsibility on his shoulders and holds our hopes in his hands."

Mr Wright also stressed: "Lord Penrose's findings need to be followed by action. If such decisive action is not taken, the frustration, confusion, hardship and grief will remain and the issue will not go away."

Lord Penrose thanked all those who had "co-operated and contributed to the inquiry". He added: "I will now begin writing my final report based on the evidence provided. Updates on my progress will be added to the inquiry website on a regular basis."