News In Focus
9 September 2010
Penrose inquiry publishes preliminary report
The inquiry into the use of contaminated blood by the NHS in Scotland yesterday issued an invitation to comment on the proposed topics for further investigation, as it published its preliminary report into the affair.
Chaired by retired judge Lord Penrose, the inquiry was set up to investigate how people in the 1970s and 1980s were given blood transfusions or blood products through which they caught HIV or hepatitis C.
Its 600-page initial report makes no conclusions as yet but sets out the evidence and the next stages of the investigation, which will involve looking at the use of commercial blood products and information given to patients after their conditions were diagnosed.
Lord Penrose is inviting comments from individuals and organisations on his proposed topics topics for investigation, to be submitted by the end of October.
Patrick Maguire of Thompsons Solicitors, who represents for patients and their families, welcomed the "well reasoned" report and the work that had already been put in by the inquiry.
Click here for the inquiry website.