This week, Brian Cummins has provided closing oral submissions to the Infected Blood Inquiry Chair, Sir Brian Langstaff KC, on behalf of the cohort of former pupils of the Lord Mayor Treloar College school, after over 4 years of evidence. Since September 2018, Brian has been part of the counsel team instructed by Collins Solicitors, who represent over 1100 core participants, either infected or affected, and/or from several interest campaign groups.
Over 74 former pupils, who were haemophiliac boys sent to the specialist College in the 1970s and 1980s, have died of HIV and Hepatitis C infections, following receipt of imported and NHS Factor VIII concentrate blood products, administered to them as part of therapeutic treatment at a haemophiliac centre on site at the school.
Brian’s oral address to the Chair included: the clinicians’ and school staff’s likely knowledge of the risks and harm, and the multitude of trials and research undertaken on the boys at the school, without informed consent. Pharmaceutical companies were shown to be linked to some research projects. Extensive written submissions were filed with the Inquiry, on behalf of Collins core participants, by the legal representatives in December 2022.
The Inquiry is the first UK wide inquiry, and the Infected Blood scandal has been described as “the largest scandal ever to hit the NHS”, with many thousands infected, affected or deceased. A final report with recommendations for compensation is expected later this year as the Inquiry continues.
