From Ann Wills

Daily Telegraph 2.5.19   “VICTIMS ‘INFECTED YEARS AFTER OFFICIALS SAID BLOOD SCANDAL WAS OVER’”

The NHS infected blood scandal may have continued for years longer than the Govt admitted, it has emerged.  The Inquiry heard evidence on 1^st May from a woman suffering Hepatitis C who received her blood transfusions in 1992 & 1993.   Carolyn Challis submitted evidence from doctors who said infected batches could have been administered after 1991, when routine testing of batches began.  The Inquiry saw references from consultants supporting her claim that blood transfusions were the cause of her infection.  One doctor wrote: “This lady received a  number of blood transfusions between 1992 to 1993.  No other risk factors are present & the hospital treatment & transfusions are thought to be the cause.”   The revelation means that potentially 1,000s of people who considered themselves safe because they had transfusions or blood products after 1991 could also have been infected.  The Inquiry heard Miss Challis may have received blood that had been frozen & stored or that infected donors gave blood before antibodies showed up in tests.  “The Hepatitis C Trust” said the charity is receiving an increasing number of calls from people with Hepatitis C who were given transfusions or blood products in 1992 & 1993.

(My comment:  GPs have now been instructed to ask patients suffering ‘non-specific symptoms’, about any blood transfusions they’ve had, in case they could be infected.  Patients with Hepatitis C are supposed to inform their dentist so that the dentist can take extra safety precautions - but as many patients weren’t told they had the virus, they were not able to tell their dentist.)

Ann