People infected with HIV from blood products to sue NHS

Hundreds of people infected with HIV and hepatitis from contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 80s are set to sue the NHS.

Victims and their families have won a ruling allowing them to launch a High Court group action seeking damages.

A High Court official said it was ‘appropriate’ to immediately issue a group litigation order allowing a potential 500 claimants.

Senior Master Fontaine made the order despite opposition from lawyers acting for the Department of Health who argued the application was ‘premature’.

The case concerns imported blood-clotting products derived from blood plasma which caused haemophiliacs and others to be infected in the 1970s and 80s.

So far the scandal has led to the deaths of at least 2,400 NHS patients. The Department of Health (DoH) is named as a defendant in the case.  

Minutes of papers seen by the Mail suggest health officials knew in 1980 and 1981 that patients were falling sick.

Yet it was not until 1986 that supply of the contaminated blood stopped.

Diana Johnson, Labour MP for Hull North, demanded a public inquiry in light of the documents.

Her call has been backed by politicians from the Conservative and Labour parties, victims, lawyers and patient groups.

Miss Johnson said the scandal was the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.

Victims and their families have won a ruling allowing them to launch a High Court group action seeking damages (stock)