Read a summary of this week’s evidence

Written by Jessica Bomford, March 4, 2022

This week there have been three days of evidence at the Infected Blood Inquiry, covering the use of transfusion in the treatment of blood cancer, Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassaemia as well as a focus on palliative care in advanced liver disease.

The inquiry heard from Professor Anthony Goldstone, consultant haematologist at University College London Hospital and UCLH NHS Trust from 1976 to 2011 who was responsible for setting up a dedicated leukaemia unit at the hospital. Dr Dafydd Thomas gave evidence about his work in improving blood use practice in his role as consultant in intensive care and anaesthesia at West Glamorgan Health Board and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board from 1989 until his retirement in 2020.

Former chief medical officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies told the inquiry about the care and treatment of people with sickle cell, based on her time as Professor of Haemoglobinopathies and Consultant Haematologist specialising in sickle cell disease at the Central Middlesex Hospital between 1985 and 2004. Emma Prescott, Clinical Nurse Specialist (Thalassaemia) at the Whittington Health NHS Trust since 1995 gave expert evidence on the treatment and care of Thalassaemia.

Finally, the inquiry’s expert panel on palliative care in advanced liver disease gave evidence, followed by Samantha May of The Hepatitis C Trust.  

Click here for a summary of this week’s evidence.

Transcripts of inquiry evidence are available here. A weekly summary of previous hearings can be found here.

Follow the inquiry through the Haemophilia Society’s dedicated Twitter account or join our Facebook page for daily updates on evidence when the inquiry is sitting.