Sir Brian Langstaff
Professor Stephen Powis
Chair
National Medical Director
Infected Blood Inquiry
6th Floor, Skipton House
1st Floor, Fleetwood House
80 London Road
2-6 Salisbury Square
SE1 6LH
London
EC4Y 8AE
15 January 2019
By Email
Dear Sir Brian
Infected Blood Inquiry
Thank you for your recent letter in which you highlight delays in accessing
medical records held by NHS England. I have responsibility for leading NHS
England’s response to the Inquiry.
May I firstly reiterate NHS England’s commitment to supporting the Infected
Blood Inquiry (IBI) and ensuring those who may have been affected are swiftly
responded to.
We now expect that, where NHS England holds patient records, they will be
released within the next three weeks, following appropriate redaction and identity
verification. Unfortunately, there are some medical records which NHS England
does not hold and further information will be provided to all applicants in the very
near future.
It has taken some time to respond due to the need to obtain the relevant
information governance advice and approval but I want to reassure you that, now
the process has been put in place, the path will be smoothed for future
applications.
To ensure we continue to be responsive to the Inquiry I would be happy to meet
with you or your team. I would also like to take this opportunity to invite a
representative of the Inquiry to join NHS England’s IBI Response Steering Group.
The next meeting will be held on 4th February 2019.
Health and high quality care for all, now and for future generations
We will send further details to the Inquiry’s solicitor, Brian Stanton with whom I
know the team here at NHS England has been in regular contact.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Stephen Powis
National Medical Director
NHS England
Health and high quality care for all, now and for future generations