EXCLUSIVE: 'Tell those stories' begs infected blood scandal survivor
After campaigning for decades, Bruce Norval now wants the scandal included in a drama or other art forms to ensure people never forget how patients were infected with contaminated blood products.
Last updated 15th May 2024
A Black Isle man is urging the arts to tell the stories of the thousands of lives destroyed by the infected blood scandal.
Bruce Norval, 59, has campaigned for more than 30 years after he was infected as a patient with Hepatitis C through contaminated blood products.
The Hepatitis Trust say more than 30,000 people in the UK were given treatments for Hepatitis C and HIV between the 1970s and 1990s, with more than 3,000 people losing their lives.
A six year long public inquiry into the shocking scandal will publish its final report on Monday.
Bruce says those affected by the matter, living or dead, "deserve the truth."
Campaigner expects "most honest history" about the infected blood scandal
When he was a child, Bruce received treatment for haemophilia, a disorder where the blood does not clot properly.
It was not until his twenties, he was told he had Hepatitis C.
His physical and mental health have long suffered during this time, and he claims to have faced horrific abuse over the years.
After decades of campaigning to bring those who had contributed to the scandal to task, Bruce now feels Monday's findings will be hugely significant for all those effected
He said: "I think we're about to get the most honest history we could possibly get this far out.
"That's important, there is too many people dead for them not to have the truth as their epitaph.
"They deserve the truth, as do the living."
Most people with haemophilia have a shortage of the protein which enables human blood to clot.
In the 1970s, a new treatment was developed to replace the missing clotting agent, which was made from donated human blood plasma.
Manufacturers made the product by pooling plasma from tens of thousands of people, increasing the risk of the product containing blood infected with viruses including hepatitis and HIV.
Bruce explained how the length of time it has taken to get to this stage, only adds to his anger.
He added: "Why has it got to the point where I'm looking at an 80-year-old mother begging for recognition of a seven-year old child?
"There is so much which is wrong with this, they have stolen from us all.
"We need to get people in to do the simplest of tasks because we're no longer physically capable.
"Not because of our haemophilia, but because of the damage done by these viruses.
"We need to be enabled to have what's left of our lives in dignity."
Creative industries could 'recognise those lost' from the scandal
Bruce, who was previously a Motorhead roadie, says turning to the creative industries is the only way to ensure people don't forget what happened.
He said: "People don't read public inquiry reports after the first year, a few academics might.
"But people follow drama, people read books, people look at art and I think ultimately I will beg the creative community.
"To recognise those loses and tell those stories."
Asked whether he'd like to see something similar to the ITV drama, 'Mr Bates vs The Post Office,' Bruce replied: "I think a drama of that scale is important, but I don't underestimate the importance of a love story where AIDS comes in.
"I don't underestimate the importance of inserting it into a soap opera."
A UK 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 we 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."