A GROUP of 36 are set to take legal action against a Hampshire school at the centre of an infected blood scandal.

Lord Mayor Treloar in Alton allegedly failed its duty of care to its pupils with haemophilia in the 1970s and 1980s.

Since, more than 72 alumni have died after having been infected with Hepatitis A, B and C, or HIV, as a result of receiving contaminated blood whilst being treated at the school.

Many have suffered life-long ill-health and other life-affecting consequences.

Now, a group of 36 advised by Collins Solicitors have lodged an application for a Group Litigation Order.

 

The group will be taking legal action against Lord Mayor Treloar in Alton

The group will be taking legal action against Lord Mayor Treloar in Alton

 

The claimants, who are seeking damages, comprise infected former pupils and/or the personal representatives of the deceased.

Gary Webster, 56), the proposed lead claimant, said: "Why didn’t our headmaster or other teachers want to know what was being injected into pupils in their care at the time?

"No one at the school seemed to show the slightest curiosity over what treatment was being prescribed to us young kids nor, I now know, did they seek parental permission. It beggars belief.

"We have witnessed the deaths of so many friends while experiencing truly awful life-affecting consequences as a result of unnecessarily contracting these illnesses, is really difficult to comprehend and accept.

"We hope that by bringing this case such trauma can never happen to anyone else.”

Collins Solicitors says that pupils suffered physical, psychological and psychiatric harm arising from the haemophilia treatment provided to them without their informed consent, or that of their parents, whilst under the school’s care.

The treatment risks were not explained.

Des Collins, senior partner at Collins, said: "We are bringing this action following new evidence heard last year at the Infected Blood Inquiry. The extraordinary testimonies of Treloar’s former headmaster, house master, care staff and clinicians at the hospital attached to the school made clear a total abrogation of responsibility which has had immense repercussions for my clients.

“The harrowing stories from surviving pupils describing their suffering over the decades makes for deeply uncomfortable listening. Where were even the most basic of safeguards for these children when they were pumped full of blood products of clearly dubious origin?

"The school was acting in loco parentis, yet failed in its basic duty of care to these already vulnerable boys. We are determined that they receive recognition and due recompense for the trauma they and their families have suffered over decades, if they were fortunate enough to survive.

"This treatment tragedy must be exposed so that nothing like it can ever be allowed to happen again.”