In England, GPs are set to assist the NHS in identifying undiagnosed hepatitis C patients affected by the contaminated blood scandal that dates back several decades. Thousands might have been exposed to the virus via blood transfusions in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Starting June, new patients who received transfusions before 1996 will be screened for hepatitis C. The article emphasizes the tragic case of Maureen Arkley, who only learned of her infection after decades, illustrating the ongoing ramifications and need for testing following this monumental healthcare disaster. Hepatitis C is now treatable, but many cases remain undiscovered.
Maureen Arkley, who died last year, was diagnosed with hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver in 2023, more than 40 years after she had an operation involving multiple blood transfusions.
The BBC revealed the scale of undiagnosed cases last year, as people with life-threatening liver damage caused by the virus over many years continue to be identified.
Hepatitis C can now be treated by modern anti-viral drugs to eliminate the virus for most patients.
It is one of the biggest treatment disasters in NHS history - 3,000 people who were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood products have died.
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