SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has called for justice for victims of the infected blood scandal which saw thousands of people treated with blood products infected with HIV and Hepatitis C in the 70s and 80s.
Speaking ahead of the publication of the Inquiry findings in London today, Mr Eastwood said that the British Government must respond with an enhanced level of compensation, a full apology and a commitment to ensure this never happens again.
Said the Foyle MP: “The infected blood inquiry report today is likely to focus, rightly, on failures of process that led to one of the biggest scandals in the history of the NHS.
“But we cannot forget that at the heart of this story are people who went to hospital for important treatment and left having received infected blood products with conditions that would affect them for the rest of their lives.
“I cannot begin to imagine the impact that has had on them, their family and their faith in health services.
“The findings of the inquiry will be difficult for many of those most affected. What comes after, however, will be critical.
“What I want for those most affected by this scandal is an immediate apology from the British Government, details of an enhanced compensation scheme that acknowledges the impact of this scandal and a commitment that this will never happen again.
“That is the least people deserve.”
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