Penrose Inquiry

The Penrose Inquiry was established in 2009 to examine NHS Scotland's response to HIV and Hepatitis C infections from blood products. Lord Penrose published his final report on 25 March 2015, making a single recommendation regarding testing for Hepatitis C.

The inquiry's sole recommendation focused on offering Hepatitis C testing to specific groups who may have been exposed through blood products. While no formal government response was published, the Scottish Government established a Short-Life Working Group involving Health Protection Scotland and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service to develop a testing programme.

According to progress updates, a testing programme was established by December 2015. The specific details of this programme's scope, reach and outcomes are not detailed in the available evidence.

The limited scope of the Penrose Inquiry's recommendations - a single testing recommendation - contrasts with the broader issues examined during the inquiry process. The progress update notes that the subsequent UK-wide Infected Blood Inquiry, which reported in 2024, made more comprehensive recommendations covering compensation and systemic reforms.

The available evidence indicates that the Scottish Government accepted the recommendation and that a testing programme was established within nine months of the report's publication. However, the public record provides limited detail about the programme's implementation, effectiveness, or long-term operation beyond the initial establishment phase.