The Mancunian Way: Justice at last

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

It has been a hugely emotional 24 hours for victims, families, and campaigners affected by the infected blood scandal. Between the 1970s and 1990s, more than 30,000 people were infected with deadly viruses in what has been termed ‘the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS’.

Yesterday, the long-awaited final report from the inquiry into the scandal found a "chilling" and "pervasive" cover-up at the highest levels of government.

Gareth Mossman and his family are one of thousands whose lives have been torn apart by the disaster. His dad Peter was infected with hepatitis C in his 40s after being given a contaminated blood product supposed to help treat his haemophilia.

Speaking to health reporter Helena Vesty, Gareth recalled growing up in their three–bed council house in Wythenshawe, with one room filled with boxes and boxes of documents that would eventually be used as evidence. “There was a lot of stigma, he didn’t really know much about what he had been infected with,” he said. “We weren’t allowed anywhere near his plates after tea, he used to wash himself with bleach – the stench is a prominent childhood memory for me. “He wasn’t really affectionate with us because of how terrified he was of passing it to us.