The Infected Blood Inquiry is currently examining why men, women and children in the UK were given infected blood and infected blood products.
The enquiry will look at the impact on the families of those given infected blood and products, how the authorities (including government) responded, the nature of any support provided following infection, questions of consent and whether there was a cover-up.
The inquiry which began at the end of March will switch its focus to the Northern Ireland Haemophilia Centre, based at the RVH during the 1970s and 1980s as well as review of current care and practice on 1st April 2021.
Paul Kirkpatrick, Co-Chair of Friends and Families of Haemophilia NI, said: “This will be a very difficult review for those survivors and relatives who have lost family members due to this scandal.
“As the inquiry has evolved more and more of the infected and affected have been willing to speak out and share with is ‘No longer Our Dirty Secret’, including Martin Sloan.”
Martin Sloan, said: “I am 45 years old and I am a severe hemophiliac who contracted Hepatitis C through contaminated blood products in the 80s I was told were safe. I was only told I was Hepatitis C positive at nineteen when I told by my consultant I was getting married. This shocked my then partner and I to the core. It called all our plans into question and plunged us into a life of hardship and the benefits system. I couldn’t keep a job as I was so ill all the time and there was no chance of holidays or a mortgage as I was, and still am, uninsured.
“The pressure finally broke up my marriage. My mistrust of my own factor concentrate has led to serious damage to many of my joints and I am left with symptoms ranging from exhaustion and brain fog to extreme joint pain, vomiting and mental health problems, to mention a few.
“I am a lone parent with two daughters, and we struggle to maintain a normal life. This contaminated blood inquiry has been very difficult, but I hope we can get some justice for my grandfather who is no longer with us and for my brother and I who must live the rest of our lives with question marks on our health”, concluded Martin.
Paul Kirkpatrick, added: “Martin has campaigned alongside us and during an emotionally charged meeting we with Minister of Health for Northern Ireland, Robin Swann, and colleagues, he helped us to communicate the devastating impact this scandal has had across the board.”
#NoLongerOurDirtySecret