A haemophiliac infected with HIV and Hepatitis C from contaminated blood products has become the first to speak publicly about what happened. Using the pseudonym 'Dominic' he told the Lindsay Tribunal that he found out he had Hepatitis C by opening a letter from one of his physiotherapists which was addressed to a colleague. He said that he wanted to know what happened and said it was a disgrace that so many people had died because someone did not do the job he was paid to do.
'Dominic' began to use the Factor 8 blood-clotting agent in the early 1980’s. He said he asked Professor Ian Temperley, a man he had great faith in, about the risk of infection but was told he had more chance of dying from bleeding that he did from HIV. 'Dominic' was subsequently diagnosed as having contracted HIV AND Hepatitis A and B in 1985.
He cried explaining the pressure he felt under to accept an offer of compensation for HIV from the Government because friends were dying and he wanted to help his family. 'Dominic's wife 'Ann' said she received no help or financial back-up from the Health Boards. 'Ann' used to administer the Factor 8 to her husband but said 'not once were we given disposable gloves, I had to ask for them'.
'Dominic's eldest daughter 'Barbara' said she was a haemophilia carrier and didn't think she could have children from the experience. Another of 'Dominic's' daughters, 'Catherine', broke down in the witness stand. She said she made herself sick for a long time after finding out about her fathers HIV status in an attempt to get rid of things she didn't want.
