Pensioner's disgust at diseased blood ruling
A PLYMOUTH man who is terminally ill as a result of receiving infected blood from the NHS said he is disgusted after the Government blocked a Bill offering compensation.
Ron Venton, pictured, 69, said: "I think it's absolutely disgusting. This was brought about by the government importing infected blood and they are trying to wash their hands of it."
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The Devonport pensioner is among 4,670 haemophiliacs given hepatitis C through contaminated blood in the 1970s and 1980s. Of that number, 1,243 people were also infected with HIV. The Contaminated Blood (Support for Infected and Bereaved Persons) Bill passed swiftly through its Lords stages of Parliament recently, but the measure has repeatedly been blocked by Government whips from getting a second reading in the Commons.
On Friday, the last opportunity for backbench Bills before the general election, another shout of "object" prevented it from making further progress.
The Bill, which has the backing of the Haemophilia Society, would establish a compensation package for people who have been infected by contaminated blood, their widows, dependants and carers. It would also set up a committee to advise on the treatment of haemophilia and a review into the support available for infected people and their families, in line with the recommendations of a two-year inquiry into the contaminated blood disaster.
Mr Venton, who has terminal liver cancer which doctors say is likely to be a direct result of the hepatitis he contracted through infected blood, said the longer the bill is delayed, the fewer affected people will remain alive to receive the compensation. But he said he was not surprised by the delays.
He said: "So many haemophiliacs have lost their battle anyway. I know we will all be disappointed, but it's not unexpected. We seem to be bottom of the list. Even if there's a change of government I don't think it's going to be easy to get anything out of whoever's in power."
He added: "For the Bill to be blocked like that is an absolute disgrace."
Of the more than 1,200 haemophilia patients infected with HIV, less than a third are still alive and a the number of deaths among the hepatitis C infected patients is still increasing. More than 2,000 have died as a result of the blunder.
Former disabled people's minister Lord Morris of Manchester, who steered the Bill through the Lords, likened the suffering of haemophiliacs infected by contaminated blood or blood products to the "Black Death".
4 Comments
by Kate, South Wales
Tuesday, March 16 2010, 1:00PM
“When are the Government going to put right the terrible wrong that was done? Isn't it bad enough that over 4,000 people were infected with Hep C and HIV, and now they have to fight for justice.
It is time that the government started supporting all those affected, instead of saying that the government are very sympathetic. It's bad enough that I have to live with the thought that I may lose my huband, my soulmate, my best friend, my breath, prematurely because of the Hep C. But to also have the worry that we may lose our wonderfully happy, family home if my husband becomes too ill to work, is something that we should not have to worry about.”
by kenny, glasgow
Monday, March 15 2010, 10:29PM
“what a disgrase our so called government are hartles to the cord i hope these 2 b......s suffer the same as my wife has through NO FAULT OFF HER owen macarthy and speller go to hell”
by Glenn, England
Monday, March 15 2010, 5:37PM
“How terribly sad for this poor man. What on earth are the government thinking of blocking a bill which would give some help to those infected with contaminated NHS blood. What a disgraceful response from the Labour party, I thought they were supposed to be the party for the people, all they seem to be interested in is lining their own pockets. How would the likes of Gillian Merron, Andy Burnham and Gordon Brown like it if they or someone they loved were facing these terrible diseases, it would be a completely different situation then. Health Ministers "GET IT SORTED"”
by Mike, Warrington
Monday, March 15 2010, 5:21PM
“Hello I am also a haemophiliac who has been given a death sentence as a direct result of being given infected NHS treatment for the disorder.
This perverse government have no morals, shame, or value of life unless it is their own.
I at least will have my say at the ballot bio in May .
How can anyone who claims to be a human being condemn these poor people and their families to a continued life of suffering, pain and poverty brought about by a government department that were so busy trying to cur corners and save money, That they completely ignored the warranting of the dangers of importing American treatment, treatment that was have such a high cost in human lives and suffering.
But what is now worst is the government constant refusal to take action and help those who became victims of The Worst Disaster In The History Of The National Health Service.
Kerry McCarthy. MP Bristol.
John Speller, Warley.
Both these MPs
Stood and objected to a bill that would have greatly eased the burden the UK haemophilia community live with every day of what is left of their lives.
Shame on them, and thanks to this uncaring body of people.”