How to look for records of... Records of the Infected Blood Inquiry

1. Why use this guide?

This guide sets out the context for records of the Infected Blood Inquiry that are held by The National Archives. This guide also touches on relevant records that are preserved by the wider archive sector.

The Inquiry was set up to examine the circumstances in which men, women and children treated by national health services in the United Kingdom (collectively, ‘the NHS’) were given infected blood and infected blood products, in particular since 1970.

The focus for this guide is the records of the public inquiry that have been transferred to The National Archives having been selected by the Inquiry Chair and in line with The National Archives’ Records Collection Policy. The records have been transferred to The National Archives in line with the Inquiries Act 2005, the Inquiry Rules 2006, and the Public Records Act 1958. They have been managed in line with current information rights legislation.

2. Where to go for further support, if you have been affected by the content of these records/and or the disaster

Records from the Infected Blood Inquiry include content that some people may find distressing.

The Infected Blood Psychological Service NHS (England) Infected Blood Psychological Service is a national service offering bespoke psychological support for people who have been infected and affected by contaminated blood or blood products. Specialist psychological support is also available in Wales, The Psychology & Wellbeing Service – WIBSS, Scotland, Scottish Infected Blood Psychology Service – Scottish Infected Blood Psychology Service and  Northern Ireland Belfast Health & Social Care Trust.

You can also find useful advice on looking after your mental health and wellbeing on the NHS Every Mind Matters website and from the mental health charity Mind.

3. The Public Inquiry

The Infected Blood Inquiry was set up by the then Prime Minister, Theresa May, and the government of the day in July 2017. Sir Brian Langstaff, an experienced QC in health-related public inquiries and clinical negligence, was appointed as Chair of the Inquiry on 8 February 2018.

The terms of reference for the Inquiry were set by the then Minister for the Cabinet Office on recommendation of the Chair following public consultation. Infected Blood Inquiry Terms of Reference – GOV.UK

The Inquiry formally opened in July 2018, and the first interim report was published on 29 July 2022 concerning the issue of interim compensation payments. The second interim report was published on 5 April 2023 concerning the framework for compensation. The Inquiry Report was published on 20 May 2024 and the government responses to the Inquiry Report were published on 17 December 2024 Government Response to the Infected Blood Inquiry (HTML) – GOV.UK and 14 May 2025. Full Government Response to the Infected Blood Inquiry’s May 2024 Report (HTML) – GOV.UK

The Inquiry published an Additional Report on Compensation on 9 July 2025. The Government response was published on 21 July 2025 Infected Blood Inquiry Additional Report Government Response.

4. How to access records held at The National Archives

The records of the Infected Blood Inquiry can be accessed using The National Archives’ online catalogue. Most of the records are held in digital format and are available online.

The National Archives’ online catalogue will indicate the format of the record. If you need further help using our catalogue, please consult Discovery help.

Infected Blood Inquiry records are catalogued within the following series:

IBI 1 Records not yet transferred.

IBI 2  Records not yet transferred.

IBI 3 contains the reports of the Inquiry. Search or browse descriptions in our catalogue.

5. Public inquiry reports

The Inquiry developed reports and recommendations through the collection of written statements and evidence, 14 reports from independent groups of experts, public hearings and submissions. Two interim reports were published in 2022 and 2023. The Infected Blood Inquiry produced the Inquiry Report which was published on 20 May 2024 and an Additional Report on Compensation was published on 9 July 2025.

The first Interim Report was concerned with the single issue of interim compensation payments and was published on 29 July 2022 and can be found First Interim Report | Infected Blood Inquiry

The second Interim Report was concerned with the framework for compensation and was published on 5 April 2023 and can be found (TNA reference and UKWA reference) Second Interim Report | Infected Blood Inquiry

The report of the Infected Blood Inquiry was published on 20^th May 2024 and can be found (TNA reference and UKWA reference) The Inquiry Report | Infected Blood Inquiry

The Additional Report on Compensation from the Infected Blood Inquiry was published on 9^th July 2025 Additional Report on Compensation | Infected Blood Inquiry

6. Other sources

The British Library has two oral histories: the Haemophilia and HIV Life History Project and HIV in the Family: an oral history of parents, partners and children of those with haemophilia and HIV, see Haemophilia and HIV Life History Project and HIV in the Family: an oral history of parents, partners and children of those with haemophilia and HIV:

Material can be found in the archives of both local authorities and private organisations. A directory of UK archive services can be found on The National Archive website: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/find-an-archive