A VICTIM of “bad blood” scandal — branded one of the worst ever NHS treatment disasters — will meet his MP and the blood minister today in his fight for “proper” justice.
David Fielding, who was infected with hepatitis following a blood transfusion he was given as part of his treatment for haemophilia, and Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South East, will see Anne Milton, minister for blood policy.
Mr Fielding, aged 54, of Farnworth and his brother, Brian, both haemophiliacs, were given contaminated blood during the scandal of the 1970s and 80s.
He contracted hepatitis B and C and needed a liver transplant to save his life.
His brother was infected with HIV and died at the age of 46, in 1990.
Mr Fielding, along with the 4,500 victims, half of whom have died, has been fighting for justice ever since, including “proper”
compensation.
The campaign has so far faltered with the Government refusing to implement the recommendations of the independent inquiry, The Archer Report.
A Commons debate ended in a vote against taking action and the Contaminated Blood Bill is going through the Lords, but will fail without Government support.
Now, Mr Fielding hopes his MP and the blood minister will be able to help take the fight forward.
He said: “As normal I am hopeful something comes from it but we have had lots of knockbacks so I am worried there won’t be any progress.
“It is heartbreaking that we aren’t getting anywhere, we’ll have to see what happens.”
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