The Scottish Government has welcomed the Infected Blood Inquiry's
report. Ministers have established an Oversight Group to consider
the report's recommendations for Scotland.
Public Health Minister said:
“I welcome the Infected Blood Inquiry's report and thank the
Inquiry Chair and staff for their work in producing such a
comprehensive final document.
"Today is about those who have been infected, their families and
support organisations and I want to pay tribute to them.
They have been focussed on ensuring the impact of this terrible
tragedy, their suffering, has not been ignored. On behalf of the
Scottish Government, I reiterate our sincere apology to those who
have been infected or affected by NHS blood or blood products.
“The Scottish Government has already accepted the moral case for
compensation for infected blood victims and is committed to
working with the UK Government to ensure any compensation scheme
works as well as possible for victims.
“The Scottish Government has set up an Oversight Group to
consider the Inquiry's recommendations for Scotland. That group
will involve senior staff from NHS Boards and the Scottish
Government, along with charities representing the infected and
affected.
“We are determined to use the Inquiry's report to ensure lessons
have been learned so a tragedy like this can never happen again.
However the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service has
extremely high standards of blood safety and I would continue to
encourage anyone who can do so to give blood, as this remains
essential for thousands of patients.”
Background
The Oversight Group will coordinate work to consider and make
progress on recommendations, working with other relevant
organisations and groups to take forward key actions needed to
respond to the Inquiry's findings.
It will be chaired by the Scottish Government's Director of
Population Health, Christine McLaughlin, and include
representatives from organisations such as the Scottish National
Blood Transfusion Service, the Health Boards, Haemophilia
Scotland and the Scottish Infected Blood Forum.
