Edinburgh Royal Infirmary

Inquiry transcripts show pain of HIV contamination

A HAEMOPHILIAC who was infected with HIV after being given contaminated blood at an Edinburgh hospital as a teenager told an inquiry how doctors had “used and abused” him, according to testimonies published for the first time.

The “pain and suffering” of people who contracted HIV and hepatitis C from contaminated blood and blood products during the 1970s and 80s was revealed yesterday as transcripts from the Penrose Inquiry were made public. Patients and relatives of those who died had given evidence anonymously at closed hearings between March and June.

One witness, a haemophiliac using the name “Mark”, told the inquiry how he had been infected with HIV and hepatitis C after being treated at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in 1984, when he was 13.

He said medics had kept the condition secret from him until seven years later, although medical records confirm he had been infected in 1984. He now has severe sight problems as a result of his HIV.

He said: “My life has been ruined by this scandal. To say I’m outraged is putting it lightly. I was tested on for years without my or my parents’ consent. I was used and abused by the doctors involved.

“They knew I was HIV positive and had hepatitis C but kept quiet. They’ve taken my life away from me. When they finally told me I was open-mouthed in disbelief. My world had just been smashed to pieces. I wanted to get out of the hospital as soon as possible. My life has been ruined.”

Another victim, using the name “David”, found out he was HIV positive when he was 19, years after doctors first knew about it. Also a haemophiliac, he had received treatment in Glasgow.

He said: “It is also important the medical profession recognises the mistakes of the past and that lessons are learned for future generations.”

“Elaine”, whose husband died in 1992 – six years after he was diagnosed with HIV as a result of a blood transfusion at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary – said she had been left “devastated and angry” by her loss. He had lived for two years with the infection before being told by doctors.

“This scandal has taken a soulmate, a great father and a loving grandfather from us. This should never have happened and should never be allowed to happen again,” she said.

The Penrose inquiry was set up by the Scottish Government two years ago to gather evidence on how hundreds of people in Scotland were given contaminated blood over a period of two decades.

Edinburgh Cyclist Injured in Bicycle Accident | Bicycle Accident Law

11 August 2011: A female cyclist has suffered serious head injuries following a road traffic accident with a car, the Edinburgh Evening News reports.

Cyclist Audrey Fyfe, aged 75, was cycling along Portobello Road on Tuesday 9 August 2011 at about 6:40pm when she was reportedly clipped by a silver Vauxhall Vectra car.

Passers by, including two doctors, two nurses and two social workers, were able to offer first aid until an ambulance arrived to take her to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.  She was later transferred to Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital for surgery.

A Scottish Ambulance Service spokeswoman told the paper:

“A female in her 70s has been taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after being knocked down at the junction of Portobello Road and Craigentinny Avenue.”

The driver reportedly stopped at the scene of the cycling accident and is helping police with their enquiries.  Any witnesses to the cycle accident are urged to contact the police.

If you need free legal advice from specialist cycling accident solicitors on what to do following a cycle crash, call Bicycle Accident Law on 0800 085 0570 or email us .