Journal’s Bad Blood campaign praised

Feb 24 2009 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

CAMPAIGNERS last night praised The Journal after a public inquiry condemned the importation of infected blood to Britain.

A two-year investigation into the scandal with saw haemophiliacs exposed to hepatitis C and HIV yesterday criticised the Government for its handling of the “horrific human tragedy”.

And it called on Whitehall to pay more compensation to families of people infected by the blood – some of which was bought from prisoners in American jails.

Last night one of the leading campaigners praised The Journal’s Bad Blood campaign as a major factor in forcing the Government to hold a public inquiry.

But Carol Grayson said she was still waiting for an apology from the Government for what one medical expert described as “the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS”.

Jesmond widow Ms Grayson, 49, lost her husband Peter Longstaff in 2005 at the age of 47 after having been given blood contaminated with HIV and hepatitis C. The former nurse said: “My husband never lost faith that this day would come.

“I’m pleased with most of the recommendations that are in the report, I do think they are very positive. Obviously one is setting up some kind of committee that will include representatives from the haemophiliac community working looking into the safety of blood, that’s very positive. We have to lobby the Government to implement these recommendations. I think that needs to be set very, very soon. They should not disappoint people who have had to wait 20 years for this.”