'Sorry means nothing. Sorry doesn’t pay the bills. It doesn’t bring back the dead'
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THE wife of a leading Black Isle campaigner for justice in the contaminated blood scandal will highlight the havoc wreaked on families at a public inquiry next week.
Christine Norval, who lives near Fortrose, spoke of the devastation and strain suffered by the families of patients infected with HIV and hepatitis due to contaminated blood products from high-risk donors, including prisoners and drug addicts, in the 1970s and 80s.
Her husband, Bruce, was among the thousands of haemophiliacs who contracted hepatitis C. Despite suffering chronic liver damage and being unable to work, he has been a high-profile campaigner.
Mrs Norval (51) will draw on personal experience to give evidence at the UK’s biggest public inquiry. It follows an earlier inquiry labelled a “whitewash” by patients and families. It aims to establish why patients were given infected blood products and whether there was a cover-up.
But her voice will be heard on Tuesday when she waives her anonymity at the UK’s biggest public inquiry which is now in Scotland for two weeks.
After an earlier inquiry in Scotland was labelled a “whitewash” by patients and families, this one aims to establish why patients were given infected blood products and whether there was a cover-up.
The mother-of-two acknowledged previous government apologies but said: “Sorry means nothing. Sorry doesn’t pay the bills. It doesn’t bring back the dead.”
The former NHS Highland physiotherapist hopes this inquiry will produce the truth plus more compensation for the victims and families who have lived with the stigma, or died with the shame.
“Emotionally, it is dredging up lots of emotions I have put aside,” she said.
“But I hope that we can finally stop campaigning. I hope the government can take on board the harm which has been done.
“I hope they will offer a level of compensation which will allows us to live the rest of our lives and makes up for the years and years we have had to do without because of their neglect.”
The couple, who live near Fortrose, have been married 28 years and have a 28-year-old daughter and 22-year-old son.
Mr Noval previously worked as a roadie for Motorhead and also trained as a nurse.
But he has been unable to work since his 30s due to ill health while the stigma of infection also had a devastating impact.
“For years, we never knew whether he was going to survive or not,” said Mrs Norval, who took on the role of family breadwinner. I had to get on and earn money and feed the kids and look after a sick husband.”
Although they are now in a better financial situation following a payout from the Scottish Infected Blood Support Scheme, the money mainly pays the bills.
“Our story is not good,” Mrs Norval reflected.
“But there are stories which have come out in the inquiry which have been just absolutely awful. I am very grateful my husband is still alive. We have a nice house and can afford to put good food on the table. As much as an inquiry is absolutely necessary, I am very angry we are having to go through this.”
