Infected Blood Inquiry information and support

The national Infected Blood Inquiry published its report in May 2024. This report, carried out by Sir Brian Langstaff, examines the circumstances and failures that led to people being given infected blood and blood products during the course of NHS treatment (mainly between 1970 and 1996).

Today, all blood donated in the UK is screened using rigorous safety standards and testing to protect both donors and patients. Since screening was introduced, the risk of getting an infection from a blood transfusion or blood products is very low. NHS Blood and Transplant have published more information about the infected blood inquiry on their website.

Testing and support
If you've had a blood transfusion or blood products before 1996, there’s a chance you may have been given blood infected with hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV. If you are concerned, please contact your GP to discuss any tests you might need. Additionally, NHS England have help and support information on their website.

You can order a free and confidential NHS hepatitis C home testing kit and can find more information on the Bristol and Severn Hepatitis C Network webpage.

Infected Blood Psychological Service (IBPS)
A national service offering bespoke psychological support for people who have been infected and affected by contaminated blood or blood products has opened to self-referrals.

The Infected Blood Psychological Service (IBPS) began supporting the first cohort of infected and affected people in August 2024, with a full complement of 16 IBPS centres now open across England.

Infected or affected people can access our IBPS service via a national telephone line (0300 131 0444) operational 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Once people have been assessed, if support is required, a psychological review will take place and treatment provided by clinicians with specialist expertise in issues facing those infected or affected by contaminated blood or blood products.

More information about the full range of services provided can be found by visiting the IBPS website.

The IBPS has been designed following significant research and engagement with the infected blood community, their families as well as NHS staff.

The service is being hosted by the following providers:

1. Barts Health NHS Trust
2. Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
3. East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
4. Guy's And St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
5. Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
6. Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
7. Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
8. Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
9. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
10. Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
11. Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
12. The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
13. University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
14. University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
15. University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust
16. University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust