Inquiry: into contaminated blood Pic: ©:STV
An inquiry into why people were infected with hepatitis C and HIV from contaminated blood and blood products published a preliminary report.
Hundreds of people in Scotland, including haemophilia sufferers and other patients, were given contaminated blood in the 1970s and 1980s.
The independent public inquiry, chaired by Lord Penrose, was launched last March almost one year after it was announced by the Scottish Government.
It is investigating how the NHS collected, treated and supplied blood in Scotland. The preliminary report sets out a list of topics and evidence for the oral hearings of the inquiry next year.
Bruce Norval, who is a trustee of the Haemophilia Society and a victim of the contaminated blood said: "One thing that needs to be highlighted, I think, is that haemophiliacs are due a public, truthful account of the full toxic potential of the clotting agents we were treated with from childhood. At the moment, the remit would not fully allow for that.
"What we are trying to get is an understanding why this small group of people, which was 500 strong, are now down to half that number with more dying on a monthly basis.
"There was all kinds of crap in that stuff. This stuff was manky, it was filthy, it was dirty and they knew it, but they still stuck it in the arms of children."
Mr Norval, who is 45 and lives near Inverness, said the range of topics and evidence included in the preliminary report was "okay" but it could go further.
"They are going to look at what we were told and what we were not told. That is extremely important to us," he added.
Solicitor Advocate Patrick McGuire said he also welcomed the report. He said: "We welcome the publication. It clearly marks a milestone both in the public inquiry itself and the families and sufferers' struggle which has lasted a large number of years.
"There are one or two things that need to be padded out more."
Mr McGuire also said he would be "engaging" in meetings and talks on behalf of his clients on the report and inquiry.
Topics covered in today's report include the history of hepatitis, HIV and AIDS infection through blood and blood products, the organisation of blood transfusion in Scotland, the development and treatment of blood products and personal statements from patients and their families.
The preliminary report was released after the inquiry team read and analysed more than 80,000 documents and took more than 100 statements from patients and relatives.
Lord Penrose said: "It is important to emphasise that I have not reached any conclusions on matters of fact or provided any recommendations at this stage and the list of topics that I have included for further investigation at the public hearings is not definitive.
"I am now inviting comments on these topics from interested individuals and organisations by the end of October."
At its launch last year, affected families and campaigners heard Lord Penrose and a former senior judge, describe how no individuals or institutions will be held criminally liable.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon indicated in April 2008 that compensation would not form part of the inquiry.
Interested parties are invited to send comments and suggestions on the draft list of topics in today's report to the secretary of the inquiry by October 31.
