CALL FOR TAINTED BLOOD INQUIRY

1.46.01pm GMT Thu 23rd Nov 2006

Jenny Randerson, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for Cardiff Central, has tabled a Statement of Opinion calling for the Assembly's support in setting up an Independent Public Inquiry in Wales to determine the liability of the NHS in supplying contaminated blood products to haemophiliacs.

Jenny, who is the Welsh Liberal Democrat Spokesperson on Health, said:

"A Public Inquiry is the only way of getting to the root of this national scandal whereby the NHS continued to supply infected blood products for 10 years after the introduction of treatment to counter these infections was available and at least 5 years after they knew of a link. Why did the Government not inform patients immediately they knew of the dangers and why have vital documents mysteriously disappeared?"

Jenny, who has welcomed the introduction of the Skipton Fund, nevertheless believes that its ex-gratia payments should be available to all haemophiliacs who have received contaminated blood products and hence to the widows and families of those who died before the Fund was established.

The Support Group for Haemophilia UK was started in Cardiff and it would be a fitting tribute if the Welsh Assembly Government, based in Cardiff, were to set up a Public Inquiry so that this matter may be finally and equitably laid to rest.