Forward Vision with Matthew Taylor

How did leaders fail victims of the infected blood scandal?

Oct 16, 2023

Investigative journalist Cara McGoogan joins Matthew Taylor on this podcast episode to discuss the infected blood scandal in the UK, tracing its history and the negligence of leaders. They explore the challenges faced by survivors, the profit motive behind blood donation, risks ignored by pharmaceutical companies, and the failure to acknowledge harms and provide compensation. The episode also examines the leadership and accountability of Jeremy Hunt and Andy Burnham in relation to the scandal.

35:00

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Quick takeaways

The infected blood scandal revealed the negligence and cover-up by leaders, leading to severe illness and death.

Survivors of the infected blood scandal face stigma, lack of compassion, and seek justice and answers.

Deep dives

Negligence and complacency in the medical field

The podcast episode discusses cases of medical negligence and criminality, highlighting the shock and allegations of managerial complacency and cover-up. It mentions the conviction of child murder and the commitment to enact Martha's Law following the testimony of Maropea Mills about her daughter's death. The episode also mentions the infected blood scandal, one of the worst medical scandals in modern times, which caused death and serious illness to thousands of people in the UK alone. It emphasizes the victims' lack of full accountability and transparency and highlights the importance of addressing failures in the medical system.

Introduction

3min

The Challenges of Talking to Survivors

8min

The Profit Motive and Exploitation in Blood Donation

2min

Risks Taken and Warning Signs Ignored

12min

Uncovering Secret Conversations and the Failure to Acknowledge Harms and Provide Compensation

3min

Leadership, Accountability, and the Infected Blood Scandal

6min

It is estimated that at least 1,820 people in the UK died as a result of the infected blood scandal. A further 26,800 people were made severely ill after receiving blood transfusions contaminated with hepatitis C or HIV. Considered to be the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS, the scandal can be traced back to the 1970s. However it is only in the last three years that there has been a full scale public inquiry. How was it that negligence ran so rife as to affect so many people, and why were the facts so routinely ignored and covered up? Joining Matthew to discuss this is investigative journalist, Cara McGoogan, author of ‘The Poison Line: The shocking true story of how a miracle cure became a deadly poison’. In this episode they trace the history of the infected blood scandal, how leaders failed to take stock of evidence presented to them, and the devastating impact this lack of action had on patients.

https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/296504/cara-mcgoogan

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