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Sir Brian Langstaff, Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry, said: “We must never forget the devastating effects of what happened. Foremost among them is the anguish, suffering and profound loss, so eloquently highlighted by the messages carefully placed in this Memorial by people infected and affected. I wish to thank the University of Manchester for providing a permanent home for the Memorial. It stands now, and for the future, as a testament to all of those who fought so long to be heard. The infected blood disaster was not an accident and its like must never happen again.”
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “This memorial is a powerful way to honour those thousands of people and their family members who suffered so much and those whose lives continue to be blighted by the infected blood scandal. I hope this memorial provides some closure, and a place for reflection for all people fighting injustice.
“I pay tribute to the campaigners like Fred and Eleanor Bates from Wythenshawe who never gave in and helped me understand the scale of the injustice. I am proud that the memorial will be based here, in the centre of Manchester, and I know they would be too.”
Professor Stephanie Snow, Professor of Health, History and Policy and Academic Lead for Public Engagement who is based at The University’s Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine said: “Our stewardship will honour the Inquiry’s intention that the Memorial will be a permanent symbol of the human suffering and loss caused by the contaminated blood scandal.
“Many thousands of NHS patients were infected after being given contaminated blood in what has been called the biggest treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.
“According to the inquiry, the victims had been failed “not once, but repeatedly”, since 1948, the date when the risk of viral infections in blood products originated. This memorial is a fitting tribute and a powerful reminder of their story. We are honoured it is to become part of the University’s collections.
John McAuliffe, Associate Vice President (Cultural Portfolio) at The University of Manchester and Director of Creative Manchester was also part of the team who helped to bring the monument to Manchester.
He said: “Our collections inspire and nurture world-class research, teaching and learning and this memorial will be of huge interest to writers, historians, social scientists, clinicians and scientists, and others connected to the Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine, and to the University’s research platforms, Creative Manchester and Healthier Futures, which support interdisciplinary research, as well as to colleagues and students attached to the Justice Hub, the Centre for New Writing and the Granada Centre for Visual Anthropology.
Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice-President for Social Responsibility at The University of Manchester said: “As a civic university, we believe it is important to remember difficult histories with honesty, compassion and respect. The Memory Bank Memorial gives powerful voice to those affected by the contaminated blood scandal and stands as a reminder of the human impact behind it.
“It is a privilege for the University to become its custodian, and we hope it will support reflection, learning and dialogue for generations to come, reflecting our commitment to social responsibility and to serving our communities in Manchester and beyond.”
“The University of Manchester is a public research university in Manchester, England. The main campus is south of Manchester City Centre on Oxford Road.”
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