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18
Jan 2019
Blood contamination scandal victims to be allowed to give evidence anonymously
In a landmark move and what is believed to be the first of its kind in a public enquiry, victims of the scandal will be allowed to act through officials to testify.
It is believed that at least 7,500 people were infected by the NHS mistake in which they received blood transfusions from donors infected with hepatitis C and HIV during the 1970s and 1980s. Around 2,500 of these people are estimated to have died.
The public enquiry will be launched in April as to how the contamination was able to happen, how it affected families’ lives and whether there may have been a cover-up.
It is also possible that thousands more people may have been contaminated by the blood transfusions without knowing.
Sir Brian Langstaff, former high court judge and chair of the inquiry, said “The work of these intermediaries will be especially appropriate for anyone who does not wish to take the time to give a full detailed written account or who may find that process too upsetting for all sorts of reasons.
“It would be a pity if what they had to say remained unheard and I wanted the Inquiry’s processes to enable them to be heard, despite those difficulties.”
Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence claims, providing support and guidance after life-changing events. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.
If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.
Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Freephone : 0800 304 738
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