The haemophilia community has reacted angrily to a further Government delay to a Bill which seeks to give solace and support to arguably the most needful minority in Britain today.  This small stricken community of barely 5,000 people has been infected en masse by contaminated blood and blood products used in their NHS treatment.  Of the 4,670 haemophilia patients infected with deadly viruses it is estimated that 1,974 have died.  The grievous and still ascending death toll does not tell the whole story and the bereaved and infected continue to suffer.

Chris James, Chief Executive of the Haemophilia Society said:

“It is doubly shaming that the Government has denied a debate on this Bill on a second occasion.  They have once again committed a foul disservice to all those bereaved and affected. Yesterday I wrote to the Prime Minister to uphold his pledge to the British people that he would not walk on the other side of the street from the most needful groups in Britain today. None has more claim to this than the infected and bereaved of the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS. 

In fulfilling our pledge to name and shame those who oppose this Bill we can announce that the objection was made by Government Whip - John Spellar, Member of Parliament for Warley acting for the Ministry of Health.  The celebrated writer and Labour Peer Ruth Rendell has said of this Bill that ‘It would be unforgivable if it fails to become law. If it does not then whoever is responsible will be made accountable to an electorate overwhelmingly in support of this humane bill’s urgent enactment’.”

Contact: Chris James 07872 899885

 (26/2/10)