Blood contamination scandal: Families seek justice
Families of patients who died as a result of being infected with HIV and hepatitis through contaminated blood by the NHS in the 1970s and 80s, are seeking a public inquiry into the scandal.
New documents appear to show that health chiefs knew for years about the dangers which led to the deaths of 1,700 people.
Lauren Palmer's father was one of the thousands of people with hemophilia treated with contaminated blood, he contracted Hepatitis C and HIV, he then passed that onto Lauren's mother.
Both of Lauren's parents died eight days apart, when Loren was just nine-years-old.
She was taken into care and says she was given no support after the deaths of her parents.
In the 1970s and 80s, 4,670 people contracted Hepatitis C and 1,243 people contracted HIV through being given contaminated blood during NHS treatments - it is thought 1,700 people died as a result.
The newly-discovered documents suggest Department of Health Officials knew in 1980 that there was a high risk from the treatment but that patients were still given the contaminated blood for another six years.
The documents will be used as evidence in legal action lodged at the High Court on Tuesday in which 300 people are suing the government.
The solicitor acting on behalf of the families, Des Collins said: "I think it's vitally important because of the cover-up which has gone on over a period of 35 years".
In the past those affected in England have received discretionary payments from the government but no one has admitted liability or paid compensation which is why families are now seeking a public inquiry.
Lauren Palmer said: "It's devastating families, I just want an apology and someone just to be made accountable for it be like ok we've messed up"
The Department of Health says it wants to be fully transparent.