[Editorial] No need for bad blood over bad blood (Lancet Infectious Diseases)

On March 25, UK Prime Minister David Cameron formally apologised for the events uncovered by the Penrose Inquiry into hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in blood recipients. The inquiry concluded with a recommendation of mass screening for HCV infection of all recipients of blood and blood products in Scotland before September, 1991. The inquiry estimated that almost 3000 people had been infected with HCV and 78 with HIV. However, although some people might conclude that the apology implies culpability, the inquiry itself found that little could have been done differently.