Lincoln man infected by contaminated blood products speaks out

It comes ahead of a report today into the infected blood scandal

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Author: Andy MarshPublished 20th May 2024

We've been speaking to a Lincoln man who was infected with Hepatitis C following treatment with contaminated blood products.

It comes as a report into the infected blood scandal will give its findings this afternoon.

Thousands of people across the country will be hoping for the answers they need after years of waiting.

Ben Harrison from Lincoln has spoken to us exclusively about his experiences.

He told us: "I've been to the hospital and had blood tests where they've been a hazmat suits all masked up and my blood's been put in little bags."

Just want somebody to explain what happened and to say sorry

"I was accused of being a drug addict because people were told that was the only way you could get Hepatitis C."

"I think it's hard to wrap your head around actually what's happened and how widespread it is."

He told us what he hoped for when he sees the report.

"Just want somebody to explain what happened and to say sorry."

"Nobody's said sorry before."

"Mainly it's just been brushed under the carpet."

"I feel sorry for parents more because my mum was told the treatment was safe."

"Before I could give it myself she was the one that was giving it to me."

"She sort of feels responsible when it wasn't her fault. "

"The treatment they gave you for Hepatitis C - that was the worst part of it."

"There was a course of 6 to 9 injections."

When they put it in it used to sting, it affected your mood

"It really made you feel ill - it felt like you were burning."

"When they put it in it used to sting, it affected your moods."

"It was horrible stuff."

Ben has severe Haemophilia A and tells us how he found out it wasn't just that he was suffering from.

"The sister at the haemophilia centre had a student who was shadowing her."

"She just let slip when she asked how I was getting on with my hepatitis C."

"That's the first I knew about it."

"It was in my records but I wasn't actually told by the hospital."

Prime MInister Rishi Sunak is expected to speak following the publication of the report's findings later.

In the meantime the Government says it was an appalling tragedy that never should have happened - and it's clear justice needs to be done swiftly.

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