What's happened
A landmark inquiry in the UK has revealed that Scottish patients were infected with HIV and Hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood without their knowledge. The inquiry found that many patients, particularly those with haemophilia, were used for AIDS research without consent. The scandal, affecting over 30,000 people in the UK, has led to calls for compensation and accountability for the victims.
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What the papers say
According to BBC News, the Infected Blood Inquiry revealed that Scottish patients were used for AIDS research without consent, leading to infections with HIV and Hepatitis C. The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service apologized to the victims. The Independent highlighted the scale of the scandal, with over 30,000 people in the UK infected with deadly viruses due to contaminated blood products. The inquiry aims to determine responsibility, recommend compensation, and assess the impact on victims.
How we got here
In the 1970s and 80s, over 30,000 people in the UK, including about 3,000 in Scotland, were infected with HIV and Hepatitis C through contaminated blood products. The scandal primarily affected haemophiliacs who received tainted blood transfusions. The inquiry was formed in 2017 to investigate the widespread infections and alleged cover-ups by the NHS. In Scotland, the majority of infections came from domestic blood donations, unlike the rest of the UK which relied on commercial products from the US.
Common question
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northÂwestern coast of the European mainland.
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The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service is the national blood, blood product and tissue provider. It makes up a Strategic Business Unit of NHS National Services Scotland.
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Sir Brian Frederick James Langstaff, styled The Hon. Mr Justice Langstaff, was a judge of the High Court of England and Wales.
He was educated at George Heriot's School, Edinburgh, and then at St Catharine's College, Cambridge.