LONDON, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- The British health system's use of tainted blood resulted in a "treatment disaster" that caused 1,756 deaths, says a report released Monday.
A two-year inquiry lead by former Solicitor-General Peter Archer condemns the government for repeatedly failing to investigate the use of contaminated blood during the 1970s and 1980s, The Times of London reported.
Archer's report calls for compensation for the families of victims who died of hepatitis and AIDS after contracting the diseases from blood transfusions, some of the blood bought from U.S. suppliers who used "Skid Row" donors, more likely to have AIDS and hepatitis, The Times reported.
Several witnesses told Archer's committee they believed hemophiliacs who received the transfusions had been used as "guinea pigs" so the medical system could study their diseases.
"The facts are now known around this distressing episode and we have introduced tough measures to protect patients," a spokeswoman for the Department of Health told The Times.
