Scandal in the UK, Sunak apologises and promises compensation
Rishi Sunak apologised on Monday to the victims of a scandal dating back to the 1970s related to contaminated blood. At that time, 30,000 people were infected, and 3,000 died. The British Prime Minister, quoted by "The Guardian," stated it was a "day of shame for the British state." The investigation into the matter revealed many shortcomings, which were followed by years of cover-ups.
20 May 2024 20:11
- This is a day of shame for the British state - said Rishi Sunak on Monday, emphasising that the report points to a moral failure from the National Health Service through the civil service to ministers in successive governments at every level. As the British Prime Minister stated, "At every level the people and institutions in which we place our trust failed in the most harrowing and devastating way".
Rishi Sunak apologises. It is about the contaminated blood scandal
The Prime Minister apologised in the House of Commons a few hours after Sir Brian Langstaff published a report that accused the British government of covering up the scandal.
In his speech, Rishi Sunak pointed to successive governments' failures related to the situation and promised compensation for the victims.
"It should never have been this way"
As "The Guardian" notes, the British Prime Minister did not spare any element of the British government in his criticism. He emphasised the failures of ministers, civil servants, and the health service. He also pointed out the "exacerbation of victims' pain" due to the lack of a compensation system established last year when Langstaff recommended it.
"This is an apology from the state to every single person impacted by this scandal. It didn't have to be this way. It should never have been this way. And on behalf of this and every government stretching back to the 1970s, I am truly sorry", added Sunak.
British Prime Minister announces compensation
The portal reports that ministers are expected to reveal the amount allocated as compensation for the victims and their families on Tuesday. As a result of the scandal, 30,000 people were infected, and 3,000 died. The Prime Minister announced that the funds would be paid out regardless of the amount.
Sunak's apology was a response to the release of Langstaff's findings, which were included in a 2,500-page report. It showed, among other things, that many of the damages caused by the scandal could have been avoided, but successive governments "did not prioritise patient safety".
According to the investigation's findings, patients were exposed to HIV or hepatitis infection due to doctors, government actions, and the health service. All this happened through blood transfusions and blood products that took place between 1970-1991. As noted, the risk of transmitting viral infections via blood and blood products has been known since 1948, yet people were still exposed to "unacceptable risks".
