PM statement on contaminated blood inquiry: 11 July 2017
Prime Minister Theresa May ordered an inquiry for victims and families into the "appalling tragedy" of contaminated 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.