Terrence Higgins Trust

Today, the Infected Blood Inquiry formally comes to an end. This photo of my wife and I was taken at the opening hearings back in 2018. At that point, none of us knew just how long, detailed and significant the journey ahead would be. We had no idea if we would have a successful outcome. For decades, the Infected Blood Scandal was a story that many fought to have heard. When the Inquiry began, we saw something incredibly important take place - a full, public examination of what happened, grounded in evidence, testimony and lived experience. I spent over a decade fighting for and immersed in this, reading documents, tracing records, attending hearings, and trying to understand the detail behind events that changed so many lives. Others spent longer. We felt a deep sense of responsibility to follow it through. But what has always stayed with me most is the people. My friends. The courage of those who gave evidence. The resilience of families who have carried this for so long. The determination, over many years, to ensure the truth was properly understood. It’s a moment to recognise the collective effort behind this. Thank you to the Inquiry team for the scale and seriousness of their work. To the solicitors who supported participants throughout. To the journalists who reported on events, treating victims with care. And to everyone who, in different ways, contributed to reaching this point. This Inquiry has created a lasting public record. For accountability, for understanding, and for the future.