Updated statement – Infected Blood Inquiry

June 21, 2021 / 10:05 am

Updated statement – 23 June 2021

We have been listening to all the evidence given by former students and their families, at the Inquiry this week. In doing so, we have developed a much deeper understanding of what happened to pupils at our school during this period.

We have been very moved by the accounts given, and saddened to hear the full details of the experiences of our former students at the NHS clinic.

Whilst there are many positive memories being shared about the education and support at the school, outside of the treatment at the NHS clinic, we have also heard that there should have been better pastoral care in some instances.

This is an important part of understanding the experiences of those who attended the school during this period, and we are grateful to those students who have highlighted it.

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In recent weeks the Infected Blood Inquiry has heard evidence from a group of  former students, who received infected blood products from the NHS Haemophilia centre at Treloar’s during the 1970s and 1980s.

 

We are truly saddened that around 100 of our former pupils are amongst the 4,500 men, women and children across the UK who were infected with hepatitis and/or HIV from infected blood products supplied within the NHS treatment programme.

We are completely supportive of the campaign for truth, answers and justice by our former pupils. The experience of the people who contracted conditions when they should have been protected from harm was tragic and the truth about this must be brought out.

The students who attended, and were harmed, at the NHS clinic in the 1970s and 1980s are from a school community which is very close and where lifelong bonds are formed. This is a matter of great sorrow to us and we will continue to support the campaign for answers. It is our hope that the public inquiry into the use of infected blood products will finally establish the facts.

Although the NHS clinic closed decades ago, we continue to stand with all those affected. We trust that the Inquiry will find the answers needed for our former students and indeed all the thousands of people who were infected with hepatitis and HIV across the UK as a result of this tragedy.

Five of the remaining survivors recently visited the school and shared their experiences of the impact this tragedy has had on their lives:

‘As five of the remaining survivors of the scandal that affected around 100 haemophiliac boys who attended LMTC, as it was known then, it was a sad and very emotional day for us all. Although visiting the college as it stands today provoked many nostalgic and happy emotions in us, these were overwhelmed by deep sadness of the contamination of ourselves and 72 of our friends that were fellow students of Treloar’s. We will never forget them and will continue to fight for recognition and justice for all’. – Adrian Goodyear