Terrence Higgins Trust’s Post

Britain Covered Up Tainted Blood Scandal That Killed Thousands, Report Finds: UPI reports that the British government covered up "a multi-decade tainted blood scandal, leading to thousands of related deaths, a report published Monday found." Britain's National Health Service allowed blood tainted with HIV and Hepatitis to be used on patients without their knowledge, leading to 3,000 deaths and more than 30,000 infections, according to the 2,527-page final report by Justice Brian Justice Langstaff, a former judge on the High Court of England and Wales. Langstaff oversaw a five-year investigation into the use of tainted blood and blood products in Britain's healthcare system between 1970 and 1991. The report blames multiple administrations over the time period for knowingly exposing victims to unacceptable risks... In several cases, health officials lied about the risks to patients... The NHS also gave patients false reassurances, an attempt to "save face," failing victims "not once but repeatedly...." The situation could "largely, though not entirely, have been avoided," Langstaff found... The British government on Monday began operating a support phone line for people and their families affected by the tainted blood scandal. The article notes that Langstaff described the coverup as "subtle" but "pervasive" and "chilling in its implications... "To save face and to save expense, there has been a hiding of much of the truth." Thanks to long-time Slashdot reader schwit1 for sharing the article. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The public inquiry into the infected blood scandal will publish its final report on 20th May. This follows six years of collecting evidence, and a shocking 40+ years of campaigning by the victims and their families for justice and compensation, in what is undoubtedly the biggest treatment disaster in the history of the NHS. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, no fault has ever been admitted by the government, the NHS, or the pharmaceutical companies who supplied infected blood and blood products to thousands of people, including children, in the 70’s and 80’s.   Will the report by Sir Brian Longstaff finally deliver justice and correctly apportion blame for the wrongs done at an individual, collective and systemic level? And will the government fully compensate victims and their families? They’ve promised to respond to parliament with detail on ‘what next’ within 25 sitting days of the final inquiry report. For background into the inquiry, take a read of our blog. https://lnkd.in/gJw2mwtw #InfectedBloodInquiry #publicinquiry

Britain Covered Up Tainted Blood Scandal That Killed Thousands, Report Finds: UPI reports that the British government covered up "a multi-decade tainted blood scandal, leading to thousands of related deaths, a report published Monday found." Britain's National Health Service allowed blood tainted with HIV and Hepatitis to be used on patients without their knowledge, leading to 3,000 deaths and more than 30,000 infections, according to the 2,527-page final report by Justice Brian Justice Langstaff, a former judge on the High Court of England and Wales. Langstaff oversaw a five-year investigation into the use of tainted blood and blood products in Britain's healthcare system between 1970 and 1991. The report blames multiple administrations over the time period for knowingly exposing victims to unacceptable risks... In several cases, health officials lied about the risks to patients... The NHS also gave patients false reassurances, an attempt to "save face," failing victims "not once but repeatedly...." The situation could "largely, though not entirely, have been avoided," Langstaff found... The British government on Monday began operating a support phone line for people and their families affected by the tainted blood scandal. The article notes that Langstaff described the coverup as "subtle" but "pervasive" and "chilling in its implications... "To save face and to save expense, there has been a hiding of much of the truth." Thanks to long-time Slashdot reader schwit1 for sharing the article. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Britain Covered Up Tainted Blood Scandal That Killed Thousands, Report Finds: UPI reports that the British government covered up "a multi-decade tainted blood scandal, leading to thousands of related deaths, a report published Monday found." Britain's National Health Service allowed blood tainted with HIV and Hepatitis to be used on patients without their knowledge, leading to 3,000 deaths and more than 30,000 infections, according to the 2,527-page final report by Justice Brian Justice Langstaff, a former judge on the High Court of England and Wales. Langstaff oversaw a five-year investigation into the use of tainted blood and blood products in Britain's healthcare system between 1970 and 1991. The report blames multiple administrations over the time period for knowingly exposing victims to unacceptable risks... In several cases, health officials lied about the risks to patients... The NHS also gave patients false reassurances, an attempt to "save face," failing victims "not once but repeatedly...." The situation could "largely, though not entirely, have been avoided," Langstaff found... The British government on Monday began operating a support phone line for people and their families affected by the tainted blood scandal. The article notes that Langstaff described the coverup as "subtle" but "pervasive" and "chilling in its implications... "To save face and to save expense, there has been a hiding of much of the truth." Thanks to long-time Slashdot reader schwit1 for sharing the article. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Challenge stigma against TB (part1) Growing up, I used to suffer from a severe cough that I would treat almost every month. It became a part of my life and I always went for chest x-rays, but nothing was ever found. However, thanks to my healer, I was eventually healed and the rest is history. But that's not the main point of this post. In commemoration of World TB Day, I want to remind everyone that sometimes we experience a persistent cough that doesn't respond to syrup or antibiotics. We often ignore it and attribute it to dust or cold. However, early detection is crucial in preventing the spread of #tuberculosis to family and friends, and it also helps in faster recovery and reduces the risk of complications. Many of us have become scared of hospitals due to poor management, unfriendly attitudes from medical personnel, cost of treatment, ignorance, stigma, and discrimination. However, the truth remains that early #detection saves lives. The program for TB detection and treatment is free when you visit government facilities, from lab diagnosis to drugs. It's important to always be on the lookout for symptoms such as:- 📍Persistent cough (often with blood), 📍Chest pain, 📍Fatigue, 📍Fever, 📍Night sweats, and 📍Unexplainable weight loss. If you experience any of these symptoms for more than two weeks and are not responding to cough syrup, please visit a nearby government facility. The good news is this can be prevented, some of the preventive measures are:- 🛑Proper hygiene, covering your mouth with your elbow or hand while sneezing or coughing. 🛑Making hand washing a habit that can help reduce the spread of TB. 🛑Vaccines like BCG can also provide partial protection, especially for children. Many organizations, including the WHO, are tirelessly working towards ending TB. Their efforts focus on strengthening healthcare systems, increasing access to diagnostic tools and treatment, promoting research and innovation, and raising awareness about TB prevention and control. If you want more information on this, you can visit the #WHO website or National TB Control Programs. I believe we can work together toward a future free from the burden of tuberculosis. Remember early detection saves life. I love you😍 #SctNebes #reclaimyourhealthw/SctNebes #WorldTBDay

Reflecting on the U.K. Contaminated Blood Inquiry: A Historic Moment for Justice and Accountability This week marks a significant milestone in the fight for justice for the thousands of victims of the U.K. contaminated blood scandal. Decades after the tragedy first unfolded, a public inquiry has finally confirmed what advocates like Jason Evans have tirelessly championed—that negligent practices and government cover-ups led to the infection of tens of thousands with HIV and hepatitis through contaminated blood products. The revelations and subsequent apology from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak symbolize a long-overdue acknowledgment of this grave injustice. For individuals like Jason, who lost his father to this preventable disaster, this inquiry brings a bittersweet sense of validation. The findings reveal that in the 1970s and 1980s, the National Health Service's blood products exposed 30,000 people to deadly infections, resulting in 3,000 deaths. It is a stark reminder of the consequences when patient safety is not prioritized, and transparency is sacrificed for convenience. The inquiry’s chair, Brian Langstaff, rightfully stated that this disaster was not an accident but a failure of responsibility at multiple levels of authority. This candid admission and the subsequent commitment to a comprehensive compensation plan signal a step towards justice, yet the road ahead remains uncertain, especially with a looming federal election that could impact the implementation of these measures. The echoes of the Canadian Krever Inquiry of 1993 serve as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved through relentless pursuit of the truth. The Canadian experience, which saw financial compensation and criminal charges, provided a blueprint for advocacy and accountability. As we reflect on this moment, we must honor the resilience of those who fought for justice, often in the face of skepticism and denial. The unwavering dedication of advocacy groups like Factor 8 has brought this issue to the forefront, ensuring that the voices of victims and their families are finally heard. This is a pivotal moment for our nation, one that calls for continued vigilance to ensure that promises of compensation and reform are upheld. The journey for justice is far from over, but today, we recognize the power of truth and the imperative to hold those in power accountable. #JusticeForVictims #ContaminatedBloodScandal #Accountability #PublicHealth #Advocacy #UKInquiry #NeverForget #HealthcareJustice https://lnkd.in/gPFau-Qr

Another tragic example of prioritizing "brand" over addressing emergent public health issues. The UK has been grappling with a scandal concerning how the blood supply was protected from deadly viral pathogens (e.g. HIV, hepatitis virus) in the latter part of the 20th century. An "Infected Blood Inquiry" panel was commissioned. A recent report from The Guardian (🔗 see: https://lnkd.in/edTpKfYD) reveals the panel's headline conclusion: "The scandal that caused thousands of people in the UK to become infected or die from contaminated blood was avoidable and inflamed by a 'subtle, pervasive and chilling' cover-up by the NHS and government." 📉 Over 22 years starting in the 1970s, the UK experienced 3,000 deaths and 30,000 cases of HIV/Hepatitis infection due to tainted blood or blood-derived products imported from the U.S. for treating hemophiliacs, among others. This is in a nation of ~60 million or so. This tragedy wasn’t isolated to the UK – similar issues with blood donor screening in the U.S. and Canada during the same period decimated a generation of hemophiliacs. Blood-borne infections have been a threat throughout human history, and this story exemplifies many other infectious disease outbreaks over the last 150 years. All too often, initial responses are denial of the threat and finger-pointing at different countries. Governments and allied institutions must be courageous enough to protect at-risk populations, even when all the facts are not yet settled. This issue resonates even today with the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the needless deaths that ensued. #PublicHealth #Healthcare #InfectedBloodScandal #PatientSafety #HealthPolicy #COVID19

When a loved one dies at home, we will be there to comfort and support you in your hours of need especially when it’s unexpected. Just one of the services offered by Specialist Clean & Care – Unattended death Did you know, If somebody dies at home unexpectedly and they are alone, it is called an unattended death. Because body decomposition begins as soon as the person dies, it is imperative to be aware of the potential health hazards that come with finding a dead body in a residence. Bodies that aren’t discovered for days can quickly decompose, especially in warm rooms, causing bodily fluid spillage that can carry bloodborne pathogens and other harmful diseases (such as Hepatitis B and C, HIV, MRSA and more). Even if you knew the departed well and they were not knowingly infected, they could still be a disease carrier and unaware of it, so treating the scene as a biohazard is of utmost importance. We have a sympathetic and companionate view on handling grieving families and can offer a complete restoration service if required. So once the cleaning has been completed all rooms etc can be left in a ready to reoccupy state therefore reducing the family’s distress. Improper trauma cleaning can have serious and fatal consequences, so it’s always best to bring in professionally trained crime scene cleaner and minimise the risk of exposure to biohazards like blood and other bodily fluids. We protect our cleaners by providing decontamination equipment and PPE. (Personal protective equipment).

Empowering Communities: Collaborative Initiatives for World Hepatitis Day World Hepatitis Day is observed annually on July 28th to raise awareness about viral hepatitis and to encourage its prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. This global initiative aims to bring attention to the silent epidemic of viral hepatitis, foster a greater understanding of the disease, and mobilize action to address it. One of the primary goals of World Hepatitis Day is to promote testing and diagnosis. Many people living with hepatitis are unaware of their status, leading to the continued spread of the disease and the risk of developing severe liver complications. By encouraging individuals to get tested, World Hepatitis Day seeks to identify undiagnosed cases and link people to care and treatment. By working together, we can strive to eliminate hepatitis as a public health threat and ensure that everyone has access to the information #AtlantaHealthcare #collaborative #initiatives #employment #opportunitites #nursing #alliedhealth #localcontracts #travelcontracts 📩 info@atlantahealthcarestaffing.com 📞 470-961-6201

Next week we shall see the value of public inquiries as Monday represents the culmination of over 6 years’ worth of painstaking investigation by Sir Brian Langstaff and his Public Inquiry team into the Infected Blood scandal. Bell Yard is proud to be supporting Collins Solicitors, lawyers to 1500 of the infected and affected community involved in the Infected Blood Inquiry, asking why they themselves, or close family members, contracted HepC (HCV) and/or HiV as a result of receiving contaminated Factor VIII blood products in the 70s and 80s. Without such a creative and determined legal team and tenacious campaigners, particularly those at Factor 8, this Inquiry may not have come to pass. Crucially the media has helped by regularly shining a light on the victims' experiences and posed questions of health professionals and politicians and others responsible for the biggest treatment disaster in NHS history. You can expect a saturated day of coverage on Monday, and again when the Government responds. Sir Brian's report will set out what happened and why and its impact. It's a totally tragic tale. Sadly the nature of inquiries held so long after the event is that they risk people dying, memories fading, social mores and expectations changing and potentially a lack of accountability by those who were the key decision-makers at the time. Decades of delay tends also to massively increase the financial cost to the public purse. While the Inquiry system is certainly not fool-safe, having spent years talking to, and working with, victims, core participants, lawyers, Chairs and secretariats to a number of public inquiries, I am convinced inquiries serve a number of very real needs. The victims need recognition, sincerity in apologies, transparency, accountability, a pathway to compensation and most importantly, the truth. Corporate participants need the opportunity (and sometimes the pressure) to self-reflect on past wrongdoings in order to raise internal standards in future. Government needs to learn from errors of judgment, inaction, obfuscation and to understand where true responsibility lies whilst having the humility and awareness to make due amends. Inquiry recommendations need to be enacted and the media has a significant role to play in maintaining public pressure.   Coming swiftly (hopefully) after this Infected Blood Inquiry report will be that of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 - a similarly long-awaited investigation following tragedy. Both inquiries’ reports should provide definitive answers to long-held questions.   Notably, from my perspective at least, what lies at the heart of the value in these, and all public and independent inquiries, is communication. I often wonder whether effective early and honest communication in the first place would obviate much of the need for lengthy post-event third-party examination. #ContaminatedBloodInquiry #GrenfellTowerInquiry #PostOfficeInquiry #ThirlwallInquiry