The Haemophilia Society has welcomed the conclusions of Lord Archer's two-year inquiry[1] into the circumstances surrounding the contaminated blood disaster, which left 4,670 people with haemophilia infected with HIV and/or hepatitis C. Almost 2,000 people have died as a result of what Lord Winston has described as 'the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS'.

The Inquiry found evidence of several Government failures to take swift action to secure the safety of the blood supply, including:

- The failure to move quickly to introduce donor testing and heat treatment.
- Procrastination in achieving national self sufficiency, which had disastrous consequences.
- Important papers were destroyed under a '10-year rule' which did not exist.

Chris James, Chief Executive of the Haemophilia Society, commented:

"The Haemophilia Society agrees that an inquiry into the contaminated blood disaster should have been held sooner. We cannot thank Lord Archer and Lord Morris enough for finally making this happen. The Inquiry found that many of the infections that resulted from contaminated blood could have been prevented had action been taken sooner. There are lessons that the Government needs to learn for the future, and they need to act swiftly to do this.

"We welcome the fact that Lord Archer has emphasised the importance of patient involvement in the provision of health care. He and his team also heard evidence about the devastating consequences of this disaster. Given this reality, the recommendation that direct financial relief for victims similar to that in Ireland should be introduced in the UK is very important. We would be happy to meet with the Minister to discuss details of how this might work.

"It is crucial that the Government implements Lord Archer's findings as soon as possible. Our members are still dying as a result of this terrible disaster and they deserve swift action."

[1] Successive governments declined to establish an inquiry. However, Lord Morris of Manchester believed that , not only would a Public Inquiry yield some lessons for the future, but also that it may help the victims and those bereaved to come to terms with their experience. He therefore announced on 19 February 2007 that Lord Archer of Sandwell QC would head an Independent Public Inquiry.

The Haemophilia Society