Legal Matters

Scotland

The Infected Blood Inquiry has found that Scottish patients who were infected with life-threatening diseases after being given contaminated blood were studied without their knowledge. It found that several Scottish patients being treated for haemophilia were used for Aids research without their consent. According to the inquiry, Scottish doctors were aware of the risks of using a blood clotting treatment called Factor VIII, but did not inform their patients and instead carried out research. In his final report, inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff, said the so-called “Edinburgh Cohort” was among the most studied group of patients in the world, because they were infected by a single batch of Factor VIII, under the care of Prof Christopher Ludlam. The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) issued an apology to victims ahead of the publication of the report. Joyce Donnelly, representing the Scottish Infected Blood Forum, said if the recommendations of the inquiry were implemented victims would receive what they should have received decades ago. She added: “If the Government can now put it right – a lot of people have missed out, a lot of people have passed on and died in the interim – but there are still people who are waiting for it to be put right and that is my hope for the future.”