Pupils’ Contaminated Blood Fight to Feature in Documentary

School promised a ‘normal childhood’ for children with haemophilia

The Lord Mayor Treloar School in Hampshire offered 24-hour care for young boys with haemophilia – a life-long condition that affects the way the blood clots.

Parents were promised a ‘normal’ childhood and school experience for their children, who were previously restricted by the physical risks of their condition.

Instead, the boys at the school were subject to medical trials throughout the 1970s and 80s, which resulted in the deaths of at least 72 pupils due to blood contamination.

Now, an ITV documentary will feature testimonies from the survivors as they seek justice for what happened.

Pupils became victims of secret medical research

The infected blood scandal is now widely regarded as the worst treatment disaster in NHS history. But at the time, the new treatment for bleeding disorders – Factor Eight – was presented as a miracle cure.

At Treloar’s, pupils were used in clinical trials for the new treatment without parental consent. One former student said: “I was there for eight years and I was constantly – unbeknownst to me at the time – used as a guinea pig.”

The doctors who carried out these trials were privately employed by the Treloar Trust. But the school has maintained its stance that the “best route to receive timely and substantial recompense is via the government compensation scheme”.

Documentary will show lead-up to final report of the public inquiry

Out of the 122 haemophiliac pupils who attended Treloar’s in the 1970s and 80s, only 30 are still living today.

These men, who are now in their 50s, have fought for decades for recognition of what happened to them. Now, their journey leading up to the final report of the public inquiry – which they hope will provide long-awaited justice – will be documented by ITV.

Speaking on the new documentary, our Head of Legal Services Jacqueline Busby said:

“What happened to the pupils at the Lord Mayor Treloar School – and to so many others affected by the infected blood scandal – is a stark reminder of the devastating impact medical negligence can have.

“While the upcoming documentary will rightly focus on the survivors’ fight for justice, it also highlights the importance of accountability and transparency in clinical decision-making.

“Sadly, although lessons have been learnt, we still see cases today where patients suffer harm due to negligent treatment. Our role is to ensure that those affected have access to support and compensation.”

If you or a loved one has been affected by a blood transfusion error in the last three years, our expert medical negligence solicitors may be able to help you.