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Theresa May launches inquiry into contaminated blood scandal Theresa May launches inquiry into contaminated blood scandal
(about 3 hours later)
The Government will set up an inquiry into the NHS contaminated blood scandal, Downing Street has announced.The Government will set up an inquiry into the NHS contaminated blood scandal, Downing Street has announced.
A spokesperson for Theresa May said she and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt had announced the probe to ministers in this morning's Cabinet meeting.A spokesperson for Theresa May said she and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt had announced the probe to ministers in this morning's Cabinet meeting.
Mr Hunt said 2,400 people died in the 1970s and 1980s after being given tainted blood infected with hepatitis and HIV.Mr Hunt said 2,400 people died in the 1970s and 1980s after being given tainted blood infected with hepatitis and HIV.
The blood was given to 4,670 haemophiliacs, with the American-produced plasma product Factor VIII thought to have played a significant role in spreading the viruses.The blood was given to 4,670 haemophiliacs, with the American-produced plasma product Factor VIII thought to have played a significant role in spreading the viruses.
The Government will now consult on what specific format the inquiry will take.The Government will now consult on what specific format the inquiry will take.
The PM's spokesperson said the inquiry could be judge-led, a Hillsborough-style independent panel, or another format.The PM's spokesperson said the inquiry could be judge-led, a Hillsborough-style independent panel, or another format.
"It is a tragedy that has caused immeasurable hardship and pain for all those affected and a full inquiry to establish the truth of what happened is the right course of action to take," he said."It is a tragedy that has caused immeasurable hardship and pain for all those affected and a full inquiry to establish the truth of what happened is the right course of action to take," he said.
"It is going to be a wide-ranging inquiry.""It is going to be a wide-ranging inquiry."
A parliamentary report published in 2015 by the All Party Parliamentary Group into haemophilia found that 7,500 patients were infected with the imported blood products. A parliamentary report published in 2015 by the All Party Parliamentary Group into haemophilia found that 7,500 patients were infected with the imported blood products.
Factor VIII was used to treat people with haemophilia because it helped their blood clot.Factor VIII was used to treat people with haemophilia because it helped their blood clot.
It was later discovered that much of the blood used to create the product was taken from American prisoners who were paid for their blood.It was later discovered that much of the blood used to create the product was taken from American prisoners who were paid for their blood.
Prime Minister Theresa May said: “The contaminated blood scandal of the 1970s and 80s is an appalling tragedy which should simply never have happened.
“Thousands of patients expected the world-class care our NHS is famous for, but they were failed.
“At least 2,400 people died and thousands more were exposed to Hepatitis C and HIV, with life-changing consequences.
“The victims and their families who have suffered so much pain and hardship deserve answers as to how this could possibly have happened.
“While this Government has invested record amounts to support the victims, they have been denied those answers for too long and I want to put that right.
“As Prime Minister, I am determined to stand up for victims and confront injustice and unfairness in our society at every turn.
“We will work with the victims and their families to decide what form this inquiry should take so their voices are heard and they finally get the answers and justice they have spent decades waiting for.”