Northampton man given contaminated blood at Oxford's Churchill Hospital wants justice
The final report from the official Inquiry is due next Monday
Matthew Harris from Northampton was born with severe Haemophilia A in the 70s.
As his family have a history of Haemophilia, he was tested, diagnosed and has always needed treatment from blood products.
He says that he was never even properly told about what he had contracted through a procedure:
"It slowly dawned on me that I had Hepatitis through infected blood. Nobody had ever told me face to face.
"I had to have medication, though the first course of treatment didn't work. It made me extremely ill to the point where my wife had to give up work because I was so poorly."
Matthew says that his condition has affected him mentally as well as physically and has caused a massive strain on his family life and his career, where he works for himself as a sole trader.
He feels he and many others were treated as "guinea pigs" for Factor VIII blood plasma products from the USA. The blood for the plasma treatment came from at risk groups like prisons, and Matt says they knew it was unsafe, but continued to use it.
Victims of the scandal and their families are hoping accountability will be taken for the thousands of lives affected by life-threatening blood infections between the 1970s and the early 1990s.
Matt says he doubts anyone will go to jail, though he would like to see that happen, but wants justice for himself and others.
What does the government say?
A Government spokesperson said: "This was an appalling tragedy that never should have happened."
"We are clear that justice needs to be done and swiftly, which is why have acted in amending the Victims and Prisoners Bill."
“This includes establishing a new body to deliver an Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, confirming the Government will make the required regulations for it within 3 months of Royal Assent, and that it will have all the funding needed to deliver compensation once they have identified the victims and assessed claims."
“In addition, we have included a statutory duty to provide additional interim payments to the estates of deceased infected people."
“We will continue to listen carefully to the community as we address this dreadful scandal."
The public inquiry into the scandal is due to be published next week (Monday 20th May)