Victims of the tainted blood scandal will be allowed to give evidence ...

Victims of NHS blood contamination scandal will be allowed to give evidence to a public inquiry ANONYMOUSLY in landmark move Patients' anonymity is believed to be the first of its kind in a public inquiry Victims of the scandal will act through officials to testify and tell their stories  At least 7,500 were infected in the scandal which hit in the 1970s and 1980s NHS patients were given the infected blood of prostitutes and drug users 

By Sam Blanchard Health Reporter For Mailonline

Published: 10:41 GMT, 16 January 2019 | Updated: 11:25 GMT, 16 January 2019

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People who caught HIV or hepatitis during the NHS contaminated blood scandal in the 1970s and 80s will be allowed to testify anonymously.

This is believed to be the first time a public inquiry will allow all the victims to keep their identity hidden, according to reports.

Around 7,500 people were affected by the NHS blunder which saw them get blood transplants from people infected with HIV and hepatitis C.

At least 2,500 of these people are believed to have died already. The crisis happened at a time when HIV could not be easily treated.

At least 7,500 people were infected with HIV or hepatitis C after being given infected blood or plasma transfusions which had been donated by prostitutes, prisoners and drug users in the 1970s and 1980s (stock image)

At least 7,500 people were infected with HIV or hepatitis C after being given infected blood or plasma transfusions which had been donated by prostitutes, prisoners and drug users in the 1970s and 1980s (stock image)

A public inquiry will be launched in April into why and how people became infected, how it affected their and their families' lives, and whether there was a cover-up.

Thousands more people may have become infected with HIV or hepatitis by the blood transfusions – some of which came from prisoners in the US – without knowing.

Patients involved in the scandal will be able to provide evidence in the inquiry without revealing who they are.

This will help them to avoid making it public they have deadly, contagious viruses in what is expected to be a high-profile investigation. 

There is still stigma surrounding HIV and other diseases which can be spread through sex, meaning people could be reluctant to publicly speak out.

Victims will instead give their evidence and tell their stories through three trained 'intermediaries'.  

Chair of the inquiry, Sir Brian Langstaff, a former high court judge, said: 'The work of these intermediaries will be especially appropriate for anyone who does not wish to take the time to give a full detailed written account or who may find that process too upsetting for all sorts of reasons. 

'It would be a pity if what they had to say remained unheard and I wanted the Inquiry’s processes to enable them to be heard, despite those difficulties.' 

It is rare for people to be able to remain anonymous in public inquiries, The Times reported, with most people in

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