Nicola Sturgeon confirms blood infection inquiry

The SNP has fulfilled its election pledge to hold a public inquiry into how people were infected with hepatitis C and HIV through contaminated blood products.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said previous government-led inquires into the issue lacked independence.

Hundreds of people in Scotland, including haemophiliacs, were given contaminated blood in the 70s and 80s.

The previous executive resisted calls from victims and their families for a public inquiry into the issue.

The independent inquiry, welcomed by campaigners, will be chaired by the former judge and sheriff Lady Cosgrove.

It will also specifically look into the deaths of two infected patients, Eileen O'Hara and Rev David Black, in 2003.

Ms Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament:

"The transmission of hepatitis C and HIV through blood and blood products is a tragedy that has blighted the lives of many people in Scotland.

"That is why we are committed to a thorough inquiry to get to the bottom of this.

"We owe an explanation to patients and the public of what took place. We are determined to provide that."

Ms Sturgeon said the events took place at a time when evidence about blood-borne viral infections was more limited - but said, even then, there were indications that tainted blood supplies existed.

"There is no doubt that the people affected and their families deserve nothing less than answers to these questions," she told MSPs.

"If they are to achieve any sort of closure, we need to get to the bottom of what has been one of the most tragic episodes in NHS Scotland in the provision of treatment with blood and blood products."

Aberdeen North MSP Brian Adam added:

"Hundreds of haemophiliacs, and other patients requiring blood transfusions were infected with the blood borne Hepatitis C virus 30 years ago. These answers are long over due and I look forward to the outcome of this inquiry.

"I first lodged a parliamentary motion calling for a public inquiry into how these patients contracted Hepatitis C almost 9 years ago. It has taken two terms of parliament and finally a change of administration to see it happen.

"I am delighted for the families of those involved who have campaigned many more years than I, and hope they will now perhaps be able to move on after the inquiry has concluded and the truth has been revealed."