The NHS has offered an unreserved apology and sympathies to the families and patients affected by the scandal – which concerns the supply and use of infected blood products in the NHS. A new online resource for patients and the public has been set up to help people get the support and information they need.
Since 1991, all blood donated in the UK is screened and distributed by NHS Blood and Transplant following rigorous safety standards and testing to protect both donors and patients. All blood donors are screened at every donation and every donation is tested before it is sent to hospitals. Blood services and blood safety has been transformed, not only in terms of technological advances in testing but also in the way donors are recruited and checked they are safe to donate.
Modern safety standards are extremely rigorous and NHS Blood and Transplant’s services follow strict guidelines and testing to protect both donors and patients, and are subject to regular inspections by independent regulators.
Since testing has been introduced, the risk of getting an infection from a blood transfusion or blood products is very low.
Given the time that has elapsed since the last use of infected blood products, most of those who were directly affected have been identified and started appropriate treatment. However, there may be a small number of patients where this is not the case. For example, some people can live for many years with hepatitis C without feeling unwell.
If you are concerned about a possible hepatitis C infection, you can book a home NHS test online. The tests are free and confidential. To receive a self-testing kit which can be quickly dispatched to your home visit the NHS website.
Hepatitis B is also linked to infected blood, this usually clears up on its own without treatment, but could develop into chronic hepatitis B. Find out more information about Hepatitis B.
HIV testing is also provided to anyone free of charge on the NHS. Home testing and home sampling kits are also available. You can find out more about HIV testing and the HIV testing services search tool on the NHS website.
If you want more details about the safety of blood from donations in England, visit the NHS Blood and Transplant website.