Member speaks about Infected Blood Inquiry

A Blesma Member who contracted Hepatitis C from contaminated blood has given evidence to the Infected Blood Inquiry in the hope of helping others.

Brendan West lost his leg in 1979 and was given a blood transfusion while at a British Military Hospital in Germany. After trying to give blood earlier this year, the 61 year old learned he has been infected with Hepatitis C for decades.

“It was a surprise. Tests show it has caused significant damage to my liver. I am on medication for 12 weeks in the hope of removing the virus, but I must be monitored for the rest of my life. I am uncertain about my future health,” said Brendan.

Brendan West is speaking out to help others The Infected Blood Inquiry – a public inquiry into thousands of people who were given blood infected with HIV and hepatitis in the 1970s and 1980s has, for the last two years, been taking evidence from people who have been affected. Brendan spent two days with an investigator in May to provide his story.

Over the last 42 years, I’ve had bouts of unexplained ill health and have suffered exhaustion on and off even though I played sports and lived a healthy lifestyle. During that time, I have had medical appointments concerning unusual blood readings relating to my liver, but I have never been tested for Hepatitis C.

“I’ve been a little angry at times, but in a way I’m relieved now because it is easy to blame yourself, thinking the minds of medical science haven’t discovered anything and therefore it must be my fault. To find out something isn’t necessarily my fault is a bit of a relief. It’s down to the inquiry to hold people accountable.”

Brendan is using his experience and speaking out to raise awareness of the issue. “If people have similar symptoms to those I have, such as unexplained tiredness and exhaustion, and they lost a limb in the 1970s or 1980s and know they received blood products, I would advise them to consider getting a test.

“I’m not doing this lightly – I don’t particularly want the world to know I have Hepatitis C – but I want to make sure that Blesma doesn’t have Members who are unaware like I was. I’m lucky to be alive.”

GPs, sexual health clinics, genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics and drug treatment services all offer testing for Hepatitis C.