Collins Solicitors, acting for victims and their families, believe that compelling new evidence has now been uncovered shedding light on this scandal and the efforts made by the Department of Health to keep matters under wraps. On 19 April 2017 Collins wrote to the Department setting out the position (which continues to develop as the investigation continues). A copy of the letter is attached to this press release and a reply is awaited.

Des Collins said “This will be the first direct challenge of its type and throughout our aim will be to support and represent families affected by this scandal. Ongoing research aims to deliver the truth to both families and the public and provide dignity and fairness to those who have suffered.”

Despite extensive information provided to it from a number of authoritative sources the Department persistently failed to inform and protect haemophiliacs and their families; a failure which inevitably led to 1000‘s of premature deaths and both life long and life changing illnesses across the UK. In fact it is becoming increasingly evident that not only did the Department know that there was a problem they secretly tested both children and adults for HIV and Hepatitis C without their knowledge or consent

Background information:

During the 1970s and 1980s thousands of haemophiliacs were treated with Factor VIII, extracted from blood plasma donated by high-risk sources like prisoners and intravenous drug users. By the early 1970’s Hepatitis was known to be potentially fatal and by 1983 the risk of HIV infection was known and yet patients were not told of the risk.

It is estimated that approximately 4,670 haemophiliacs were infected with Hepatitis C whilst 1,243 also contracted HIV, many of whom progressed to AIDS. The government’s failure to act is estimated to have caused over 1,700 Haemophiliac deaths nationwide so far and many victims, including Jonathan Evans, died too early to be subjected to modern life-prolonging medication. Fewer than 250 of the Haemophiliacs who were “co-infected” with both Hepatitis C & HIV remain alive and they face a lifetime on medication having to cope with both a serious illness and truly shocking discrimination.

Des Collins
Senior Partner
Collins Solicitors
T) 01923 223 324
dcollins@collinslaw.co.uk

Danielle Holliday
Partner
Collins Solicitors
T) 01923 223 324
dholliday@collinslaw.co.uk