missed diagnosis

[Ruby1960]

hi all. I was diagnosed with Hep C in 2020 after being referred to specialist due to results of some routine blood tests. It’s most likely that it was a result of a blood transfusion in 1986. Following treatment I am now clear of the virus but sadly have developed cirrhosis.

I have a life policy that includes critical illness cover and one of the conditions that it covered was chronic illness caused by receiving contaminated blood. After making a claim the insurance company asked for permission to request my medical records from my GP, which I agreed to. The GP called me and asked me to attend a meeting with him to discuss the findings.

I was horrified to learn that ( unbeknown to me), I was screened for Hep C back in 2003. The result was positive but my GP never followed it up. I now realise that they knew I had the virus for over 17 years and nothing was done about it!!!! He has apologised and admitted that had I had treatment at the time I probably would not have developed cirrosis. I feel so cheated. First of all the NHS gave me contaminated blood but now know my GP missed something that could have prevented me becoming so sick.

I feel that someone should be held responsible and don’t know where to go from here.

Sorry for the long post..

[Cantarella]

Dear Ruby, go to citizens advice bureau or a law firm because you should sue the doctor who missed the diagnosis

[Ruby1960 in reply to Cantarella]

I am going to do that. I now have it confirmed in writing from my current GP. All the original doctors involved have now retired.

[sam_hepctrust Partner]

Hi Ruby, Sorry to hear of your diagnosis but glad you have found us. We are the national UK charity for people with hepatitis C and are here to help. All of us have had hepatitis C ourselves. You don't need to go to Citizen's Advice Bureau as there is already a payment scheme set up for people who were infected by NHS blood through transfusions before September 1991 (blood has been screened since this time) that provides financial assistance (upwards of £70,000 and more recently, the Government have paid an interim compensation of £100,000 to people registered on the scheme.

There is likely to be a further payment on top of this after Infected Blood Inquiry reports later this year. A large part of the work we do is supporting and guiding people through this process, but it would be good to speak to you directly so we can find out a bit more about your situation and guide you accordingly. It is far from straightforward.

All calls/contacts are confidential and we are here to help. Please do email us - [e-mail] or call on 020 7089 6221, so we can advise you specifically and provide further information.

[Ruby1960 in reply to sam_hepctrust]

thank you Sam. We have spoken in the past and you gave me some comfort. I have already received the financial assistance but this is just another blow, knowing they could have prevented the cirrhosis. I am usually pragmatic but this is just too much.

[sam_hepctrust Partner in reply to Ruby1960]

Absolutely Ruby, unfortunately we have heard of many in this situation, where either diagnoses have been deliberately withheld, genuinely overlooked for whatever reason, or just simply not followed up with. Did you give evidence to the Infected Blood Inquiry and/or have legal representation there? They have stopped taking statements now as they are coming to a close, but it may be worth you bringing it to their attention. Anyway, we are here if you need us or want to talk things through.