‘People are still dying’, says victim of Cornwall’s tainted blood scandal

Richard Waring, of Gunnislake, is calling for “closure” on the final report of the independent inquiry

Victim of South East Cornwall’s tainted blood scandal calls for ‘closure’ in final inquest.

Families of the victims of the tainted blood scandal have described how they have continued to suffer in the years since the loss of their loved ones as they await the report of the independent inquiry on Monday 20 May.

Richard Waring, Gunnislake, discovered he had contracted hepatitis C shortly before the birth of his first child.

“Shock”

He told us: “The shock was absolutely devastating for my wife. She was eight months pregnant at this stage. No family doctor to talk to. She was allowed to go home and tell me when I got home from work that I was infected.

“We didn’t know what to do, it was basically a death sentence. There was no support, no one around us, counseling, nothing.

“We need this closure and we need it fast.

“People still die”

“I’ve already been to two funerals this year of people I knew who died. They don’t have time on their side, I might have a little bit left but nobody knows.”

The Infected Blood Inquiry was ordered almost seven years ago by then Prime Minister Theresa May to look into the circumstances in which people treated by the health services were given infected blood, particularly since 1970.

Richard Waring added: “We’ve come to the point now, we’re 30 years ahead of ourselves and for some people even more.

“Proper Apology”

“I started this campaign as young people and now I’m of retirement age and I’ve been through hard times. We want justice for all especially,

“There are those families with children who have died and children who have lost their parents or siblings. Many of them have yet to receive anything.

“There must be fair compensation for all”

“It’s absolutely essential. There has to be a proper apology … backed up by actions.”

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