The Infected Blood enquiry focused on patients who received blood transfusions and blood products between 1970 and 1996, is now complete.

The final report was published on 20 May 2024.

What to do if you think you may have received blood in the 1970s and 1980s

Some patients will already have been contacted by the blood service as part of the ‘lookback investigations’ which began in the mid-1990s following introduction of HIV and hepatitis C screening.

If you received blood or blood products prior to 1992, and were not contacted but think you might be at risk of Hepatitis C, please visit:  https://hepctest.nhs.uk/. This NHS website enables patients to request a simple finger prick blood test kit to do at home and post back to the lab, results received within 2 weeks.

It is very unlikely that anyone who has HIV following blood transfusions in the 1970s and 1980s is not already diagnosed and aware of their infection.  However, if you are worried, please contact us to make an appointment with your GP to talk through your concerns and if necessary, organise testing for other infections, such as HIV.

The government has published guidance for patients, please visit: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5d1613ec40f0b609da30d37c/Information_for_patients_on_the_Infected_Blood_Inquiry.pdf

Patients and families affected/infected are entitled to compensation. More information about the compensation scheme can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infected-blood-compensation-scheme-summary/infected-blood-compensation-scheme-summary

There are several forms of skin cancer. You should be aware of the symptoms so that you’re aware of any concerning changes in your skin or moles.

Asymmetry, Border, Colour, Diameter, Elevation, Firm, Growing are the words we use to describe moles we should be concerned about. To help, Skcin have developed an app that will help you understand your risk of skin cancer. It will also help you monitor and assess any lesions.

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-awareness/skin-cancer-awareness-month
https://www.melanomauk.org.uk/the-abcde-rule
https://www.skcin.org/

As we move into June, it’s time to think about non-melanoma skin cancers. Non-melanoma skin cancers start in the top layer of the skin. The appearance of skin cancers can vary.
https://www.skcin.org/sunSafetyAndPrevention/theFiveSsOfSunSafety.htm
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/non-melanoma-skin-cancer/symptoms/

SLIP, SLOP, SLAP, SLIDE, SHADE! Slip on a T-shirt, Slop on Factor 30+ sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Slide on some sunglasses and Shade from the sun: this will keep you safer in summer weather.

Face, Arms, Speech, Time (FAST): Problems with facial or arm weakness or speech problems can mean a stroke; think FAST and call 999.
The Stroke Association provide vital help, support and information for those who have suffered a stroke and their families, carers and friends.

https://www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/symptoms
https://www.stroke.org.uk/

On average, in the UK, we consume around 8g of salt per day; this is 2g per day more than the recommended maximum. Reducing our salt intake is one of the quickest and most effective ways to reduce blood pressure. Reducing by just 1g per day should prevent over 4,000 heart attacks and strokes each year.
https://www.actiononsalt.org.uk/awareness/salt-awareness-week-2024/

There are some common early signs and symptoms of dementia. These include:
memory loss, problems with language and communication, misunderstanding what is being seen, being confused about time or place, mood changes or difficulty controlling emotions and difficulty concentrating, planning or organising.
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/dementia-action-week

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. This year, World MS Day focuses on “My MS Diagnosis” which advocates for early and accurate diagnosis
for everyone living with MS.
https://worldmsday.org/

Buckinghamshire Council has published a number of avenues that may support our patients, including access to free or low cost food, financial support and help with other living costs.

Click the link for more information: https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living/?utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery 

If you’re caring for someone at risk of going missing, you might want to have a look at the Herbert Protocol. Named after a war veteran called George Herbert, the Herbert Protocol helps you to establish information about someone who’s at risk before they go missing.

In the event that they later do go missing, you’re able to quickly share the information with the police force.

We’ve linked some national information below, but you’ll be able to find the information for your local police force and their forms by carrying out an internet search. The police will ask additional questions about what happened if/when the individual goes missing, but having the protocol ready helps you to think about important information beforehand when you’re not in a moment of intense stress.

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-s...gether-magazine/scheme-support-missing-people

The safety initiative ‘Ask for Angela’ is being rolled out to bars, clubs and other licensed businesses across England.

People who feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened can discreetly seek help by approaching venue staff and asking them for ‘Angela’. This code-phrase will indicate to staff that they require help with their situation and a trained member of staff will then look to support and assist them. This might be through reuniting them with a friend, seeing them to a taxi, or by calling venue security and/or the police. 

Venues that support ‘Ask for Angela’ have been given Welfare And Vulnerability Engagement (WAVE) training. Delivered by the Met’s licensing officers and Safer Sounds partnership, it gives staff the ability to help customers who may be in a situation that makes them vulnerable or unsafe.

For more information about the scheme, visit: https://askforangela.co.uk/