Sadly Not Just Thyroid Patients

[Sparklingsunshine]

I've been following the infected blood scandal with interest, basically thousands of patients in the 70's, 80's and early 90's were given blood transfusions/ products that were cheaply imported, often from USA, and not screened for Hep C.

This was to save the NHS money. Unfortunately many people became infected with Hep C and suffered from decades of ill health or even died from complications. The NHS and various governments did their very best to cover it up and deny compensation. It is all coming to light with an enquiry.

There was a piece in the Guardian today about the experiences of several women who got infected with Hep C and doesnt it all sound very depressingly familiar?

theguardian.com/uk-news/art...

[Star13]

It wasn’t just Hep C, it was also HIV with many dying of AIDS. Not just that but other members of their family also caught and died of it. The stigma attached to those poor families and the abuse they suffered was incomprehensible.

[Obsdian]

I was shocked to read, last week I think on bbc news page, that blood could be stored for up to 10 years... That once they had laws to test blood they never tested all that blood being stored.... Aaaand that anyome infected after that date where blood got tested who got the stored blood don't qualify for compensation!

[Obsdian in reply to Obsdian]

Found the article link

bbc.co.uk/news/health-68984862

[Bertwills]

I had a blood transfusion in 1988 after an obviously badly done C section. I’ve just received my Hepatitis C test through the post, dreaded finger prick type too. I ordered it from the NHS after reading about Hep C etc.

I wonder though if my huge numbers of health problems could have been caused by the blood. Nobody else in my family have the difficulties I’ve had. I remember asking if I really need a transfusion & being told that my recovery would be slower without. Wish I hadn’t had it.

[Smileyp123]

As someone who is part of the community, I can tell you that it goes a lot further than 1991, in 2022 there was a cluster of infections, all reported on the blood transfusion site, all from 1 source. The trouble with Hep c is it can sit in your blood for months and not show up, so you can test a donation and it will be clear, but it isnt! They are now compensating people up to 1996, there is evidence that people still contract Hep C from transfusions, they will not be eligible for the compensation, which is wrong!