Berkshire infected blood recipient refuses government apology

Matt Lincoln said he had suffered for most of his life from the effects of hepatitis C

A man who contracted hepatitis C as an infant from a transfusion has said he does not accept a government apology.

Matt Lincoln is one of more than 30,000 people who were infected with HIV and hepatitis through contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s.

The 38-year-old, from Shinfield, Berkshire, said the Infected Blood Inquiry's final report made him feel "vindicated but sad".

He said successive governments had failed to respond adequately.

He was treated for leukaemia in 1988 at the age of three

Mr Lincoln said he was infected at the age of three at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

He said: "I was told around 10 years after I'd been infected: 'You received the best treatment available', and this report proves that that is not the case and they knew that wasn't the case.

"And that's difficult. You look to the government, you look to the NHS to protect you, to do the best for you.

"When they don't - not only don't, but aren't open about it and actively cover it up - it's quite a bitter pill to swallow."

Sir Brian Longstaff's five-year inquiry accused doctors, government and the NHS of letting patients catch HIV and hepatitis.

About 3,000 have since died and more deaths will follow.

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Mr Lincoln said he did not feel a government apology would be "sincere".

He said: "So many times we've been at this point and the government has failed on promises.

"Let's not forget that in December our own government voted against speeding up compensation."

Mr Lincoln said he had suffered from the physical effects and "emotional trauma" of hepatitis until 2023, when he was treated and cured.

He now volunteers with the Hepatitis C Trust, sharing his story and helping people to get tested.

He said: "I've missed out on job opportunities. To this day I've never been able to get health insurance. All my insurances are through the roof. It's dictated our entire lives.

"I hope that one day I can get closure and move on. It will always still be there with me but the ultimate goal is that I can continue to heal and move on with my life."

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