Latest news with #contaminatedblood
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
I had no idea I had hep C for 40 years – my GP failed to tell me I tested positive as it slowly destroyed my life
FRANK Jamieson says his GP practice failed to tell him he had a potentially deadly virus - more than 20 years after he tested positive. 'It has ruined my life", the 58-year-old, from Inverclyde, in Scotland, said. 1 "I have suffered from depression for a long time and have lost everything". Frank was only told last October that he had hepatitis C, which he likely contracted 40 years ago during a leg operation after a road accident in 1984. Hep C is a blood-borne virus which, left untreated, can cause liver cancer and liver failure. It usually displays no symptoms until the virus damages the liver enough to cause liver disease, at which point it can cause fatigue and difficulty concentrating. 'My health was so bad, and I had no idea why," Frank said. "It turned out they were all symptoms of hep C,' he added. It is also linked to cardiovascular disease, mental health issues, kidney disease and musculoskeletal pain. Frank's infection is part of the wider contaminated blood scandal, which saw thousands in Scotland and the UK infected with hepatitis C and HIV from NHS blood products in the 1970s and 80s. He later discovered his GP surgery, Ardgowan Medical Practice in Greenock, knew he tested positive back in 2002, with results confirmed in January 2003. 'The surgery had my results but they never passed them on,' Frank said. Infected Blood Inquiry: Police should look into prosecutions says Labour MP 'After all those years of going to the doctor, and that information being on my file, they are blaming me.' Frank's positive test came just as he and his now wife were preparing for another round of IVF. 'I had my blood tests taken in late 2002 because my now wife and I were set to go through another round of IVF,' he said. 'We had two unsuccessful tries on the NHS and were going to pay for a third.' But that Christmas, both lost their jobs when the company closed, halting their plans. 'Our lives fell apart. We still got married, but we couldn't afford the IVF, so we weren't able to try again,' Frank explained. What is the infected blood scandal? More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. As many as 140,000 bereaved parents, children and siblings of victims may also be able to claim compensation in their own right Two main groups of NHS patients were affected by what has been called the biggest treatment disaster in the history of the NHS. Firstly, haemophiliacs - and those with similar disorders - who have a rare genetic condition which means their blood does not clot properly. People with haemophilia A have a shortage of a clotting agent called Factor VIII, while people with haemophilia B do not have enough Factor IX. In the 1970s, a new treatment using donated human blood plasma was developed to replace these clotting agents. But entire batches were contaminated with deadly viruses. After being given the infected treatments, about 1,250 people in the UK with bleeding disorders went on to develop both HIV and hepatitis C, including 380 children. About two-thirds later died of Aids-related illnesses. Some unintentionally gave HIV to their partners. Another 2,400 to 5,000 people developed hepatitis C on its own, which can cause cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is difficult to know the exact number of people infected with hepatitis C, partly because it can take decades for symptoms to appear. A second group of patients were given contaminated blood transfusions after childbirth, surgery or other medical treatment between 1970 and 1991. The inquiry estimates that between 80 and 100 of these people were infected with HIV, and about 27,000 with hepatitis C. In total, it is thought about 2,900 people have died. He added: 'Hepatitis C can cause infertility. We would have known that then if we'd had the results.' The practice told Frank patients had to call within seven days for test results - but they have no record of him ever making that call. 'I asked them, where were the results all those years? Were they sitting in a drawer until I phoned?' he added. The virus caused Frank severe health problems, including nerve and joint pain and Raynaud's phenomenon - symptoms that appeared five years ago. 'I have been suicidal' Fortunately, Frank, who worked as an engineer until ill health forced him to give up work, is now free of hep C after undergoing anti-viral treatment. He is now under the care of the SAMH charity (Scottish Action for Mental Health) as well as the NHS's local community mental health team. They are helping him manage his depression and ongoing health challenges. 'I have been suicidal,' he said. 'Right now, I don't want to be here.' Frank hopes to raise awareness so others in Inverclyde don't suffer the same fate. 'There might be other people out there who have missed blood test results, who have hep C or something else and who don't know,' he warned. Now free of the virus after antiviral treatment, Frank is determined to hold his GP practice accountable. 'I want justice. I want to be heard, and I want Ardgowan Medical Practice to take responsibility for what happened,' he said. His complaints to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman were rejected due to the passage of time. But Frank is pursuing support through the Scottish Infected Blood Support Scheme - a body that helps people infected by NHS blood products with compensation and support. 'My journey is just beginning,' he said. Ardgowan Medical Practice declined to comment when approached by the Greenock Telegraph.
Sky News
19-05-2025
- Health
- Sky News
New GP drive to find undiagnosed infected blood scandal victims
All new patients registering at a GP practice in England will be asked if they had a blood transfusion before 1996 - as part of a drive to find more people affected by the contaminated blood scandal. Around 800,000 people register with a GP each year - and half of these are people born before 1996 - meaning some 400,000 will be asked if they received a historic blood transfusion. Those who did will be offered a test for Hepatitis C. More than 30,000 people were infected with potentially deadly viruses between the 1970s and early 1990s as they received contaminated blood transfusions or blood products while undergoing NHS care. Around 3,000 people died as a result and survivors are living with lifelong health implications. The Infected Blood Inquiry said people were "knowingly infected" because authorities did not put patient safety first. After the public inquiry concluded in 2023, the government announced the creation of the Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA), an arm's length body that would manage payments to victims and their families. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority said, as of 6 May, 677 people have been asked to start their claim and 106 payments have been made, totalling more than £96m. Some families have criticised the scheme, saying they have been excluded. 1:56 At home testing kits There is now a drive to find undiagnosed patients from the scandal. If identified as someone who received a blood transfusion, patients will be able to order a discreet, self-testing Hepatitis C kit to complete at home. Hepatitis C is a virus that can infect the liver and if left untreated, can sometimes cause serious and potentially life-threatening liver damage over many years. It does not have many noticeable symptoms until the liver is significantly damaged - which means people can live with the infection without realising. But once diagnosed it can be treated with antivirals, the NHS says. Only those born on or before 31 December 1995 will be asked if they have had a blood transfusion.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
GPs to help NHS find more infected blood victims
GPs in England are to help the NHS find more undiagnosed patients affected by the contaminated blood scandal. It is thought thousands of people could have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus through contaminated blood transfusions in the 1970s, 80s and 90s; part of a scandal which affected more than 30,000 people in the UK. From June, patients signing up to a GP practice, who received a blood transfusion before 1996, will be offered a test for hepatitis C. The BBC revealed the scale of undiagnosed cases last year, as people with life-threatening liver damage caused by the virus over many years continue to be identified. What is the infected blood scandal? PM promises 'comprehensive' blood compensation Hepatitis C can now be treated by modern anti-viral drugs to eliminate the virus for most patients. But if it goes undetected and undiagnosed there may not be any noticeable symptoms for some time and it can infect the liver and cause serious damage, leaving the organ beyond repair. Maureen Arkley, who died last year, was diagnosed with hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver in 2023, more than 40 years after she had an operation involving multiple blood transfusions. These were on her medical records but she was not told by her GP or anyone in the NHS that she could have been exposed to the virus. BBC News highlighted her case as one of many people let down by the lack of testing following the infected blood scandal. It is one of the biggest treatment disasters in NHS history - 3,000 people who were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood products have died. Many of the victims were haemophiliacs, who were given infected blood products as part of their treatment. Many thousands more were given transfusions using contaminated blood after accidents, emergencies or childbirth. Maureen died in February 2024, five months after her diagnosis and 47 years after a blood transfusion infected her. "The end was utterly horrific, she weighed less than four stone when she died," her daughter Victoria told the BBC. NHS England says around 400,000 people each year, born before 1996, will be asked if they have ever had a blood transfusion through the online GP registration form. This was a move recommended in the Infected Blood Inquiry report, published in May 2024. If a previous blood transfusion is confirmed, patients will be able to test themselves for hepatitis C at home, using a finger prick blood test which is then posted to a lab for analysis. Tests can also be carried out at GP surgeries, sexual health clinics and other places, NHS England says. The charity Hepatitis C Trust is also encouraging anyone who had a blood transfusion before 1996, including current GP patients, to get tested. "Every two weeks we hear from someone infected with hepatitis C through a transfusion who is only now finding out," said the charity's chief executive, Rachel Halford. "All of these people have had hepatitis C for more than three decades; some are very ill. A more proactive approach is critical to reaching and diagnosing those who remain unaware of their infection." NHS England medical director Prof Stephen Powis said the "simple change" to the GP registration process was "a vital step forward" to ensure nobody affected by contaminated blood is "undiagnosed and unsupported". "The failures of the contaminated blood scandal have had a horrifying impact for patients and their families for decades, and I would like to reiterate our deepest apologies for the role the health service played in the suffering and loss for so many," he added. Health officials say the risk of getting an infection from a blood transfusion or from blood products since screening of blood donations was introduced, is very low. All blood donations have been screened for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C since September 1991. Hundreds infected with hepatitis C without knowing it, BBC finds Hepatitis C tests spike after blood scandal news What is the infected blood scandal?
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
GPs to help NHS find more infected blood victims
GPs in England are to help the NHS find more undiagnosed patients affected by the contaminated blood scandal. It is thought thousands of people could have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus through contaminated blood transfusions in the 1970s, 80s and 90s; part of a scandal which affected more than 30,000 people in the UK. From June, patients signing up to a GP practice, who received a blood transfusion before 1996, will be offered a test for hepatitis C. The BBC revealed the scale of undiagnosed cases last year, as people with life-threatening liver damage caused by the virus over many years continue to be identified. What is the infected blood scandal? PM promises 'comprehensive' blood compensation Hepatitis C can now be treated by modern anti-viral drugs to eliminate the virus for most patients. But if it goes undetected and undiagnosed there may not be any noticeable symptoms for some time and it can infect the liver and cause serious damage, leaving the organ beyond repair. Maureen Arkley, who died last year, was diagnosed with hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver in 2023, more than 40 years after she had an operation involving multiple blood transfusions. These were on her medical records but she was not told by her GP or anyone in the NHS that she could have been exposed to the virus. BBC News highlighted her case as one of many people let down by the lack of testing following the infected blood scandal. It is one of the biggest treatment disasters in NHS history - 3,000 people who were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood products have died. Many of the victims were haemophiliacs, who were given infected blood products as part of their treatment. Many thousands more were given transfusions using contaminated blood after accidents, emergencies or childbirth. Maureen died in February 2024, five months after her diagnosis and 47 years after a blood transfusion infected her. "The end was utterly horrific, she weighed less than four stone when she died," her daughter Victoria told the BBC. NHS England says around 400,000 people each year, born before 1996, will be asked if they have ever had a blood transfusion through the online GP registration form. This was a move recommended in the Infected Blood Inquiry report, published in May 2024. If a previous blood transfusion is confirmed, patients will be able to test themselves for hepatitis C at home, using a finger prick blood test which is then posted to a lab for analysis. Tests can also be carried out at GP surgeries, sexual health clinics and other places, NHS England says. The charity Hepatitis C Trust is also encouraging anyone who had a blood transfusion before 1996, including current GP patients, to get tested. "Every two weeks we hear from someone infected with hepatitis C through a transfusion who is only now finding out," said the charity's chief executive, Rachel Halford. "All of these people have had hepatitis C for more than three decades; some are very ill. A more proactive approach is critical to reaching and diagnosing those who remain unaware of their infection." NHS England medical director Prof Stephen Powis said the "simple change" to the GP registration process was "a vital step forward" to ensure nobody affected by contaminated blood is "undiagnosed and unsupported". "The failures of the contaminated blood scandal have had a horrifying impact for patients and their families for decades, and I would like to reiterate our deepest apologies for the role the health service played in the suffering and loss for so many," he added. Health officials say the risk of getting an infection from a blood transfusion or from blood products since screening of blood donations was introduced, is very low. All blood donations have been screened for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C since September 1991. Hundreds infected with hepatitis C without knowing it, BBC finds Hepatitis C tests spike after blood scandal news What is the infected blood scandal?
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Hepatitis C test: GPs to help NHS find more infected blood victims
GPs in England are to help the NHS find more undiagnosed patients affected by the contaminated blood is thought thousands of people could have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus through contaminated blood transfusions in the 1970s, 80s and 90s; part of a scandal which affected more than 30,000 people in the June, patients signing up to a GP practice, who received a blood transfusion before 1996, will be offered a test for hepatitis BBC revealed the scale of undiagnosed cases last year, as people with life-threatening liver damage caused by the virus over many years continue to be identified. 'Horrifying impact' Hepatitis C can now be treated by modern anti-viral drugs to eliminate the virus for most if it goes undetected and undiagnosed there may not be any noticeable symptoms for some time and it can infect the liver and cause serious damage, leaving the organ beyond repair. Maureen Arkley, who died last year, was diagnosed with hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver in 2023, more than 40 years after she had an operation involving multiple blood transfusions. These were on her medical records but she was not told by her GP or anyone in the NHS that she could have been exposed to the News highlighted her case as one of many people let down by the lack of testing following the infected blood is one of the biggest treatment disasters in NHS history - 3,000 people who were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood products have of the victims were haemophiliacs, who were given infected blood products as part of their thousands more were given transfusions using contaminated blood after accidents, emergencies or died in February 2024, five months after her diagnosis and 47 years after a blood transfusion infected her. "The end was utterly horrific, she weighed less than four stone when she died," her daughter Victoria told the BBC. NHS England says around 400,000 people each year, born before 1996, will be asked if they have ever had a blood transfusion through the online GP registration was a move recommended in the Infected Blood Inquiry report, published in May a previous blood transfusion is confirmed, patients will be able to test themselves for hepatitis C at home, using a finger prick blood test which is then posted to a lab for can also be carried out at GP surgeries, sexual health clinics and other places, NHS England charity Hepatitis C Trust is also encouraging anyone who had a blood transfusion before 1996, including current GP patients, to get tested."Every two weeks we hear from someone infected with hepatitis C through a transfusion who is only now finding out," said the charity's chief executive, Rachel Halford."All of these people have had hepatitis C for more than three decades; some are very ill. A more proactive approach is critical to reaching and diagnosing those who remain unaware of their infection."NHS England medical director Prof Stephen Powis said the "simple change" to the GP registration process was "a vital step forward" to ensure nobody affected by contaminated blood is "undiagnosed and unsupported"."The failures of the contaminated blood scandal have had a horrifying impact for patients and their families for decades, and I would like to reiterate our deepest apologies for the role the health service played in the suffering and loss for so many," he officials say the risk of getting an infection from a blood transfusion or from blood products since screening of blood donations was introduced, is very blood donations have been screened for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C since September 1991.
