News

Department of Health meeting rejected

Today The Birchgrove Group joined with other contaminated blood campaign organisations in declining an invitation from the Department of Health to meet with them so as to begin to 'determine the format and scope' of the recently announced inquiry. 

It is the firm belief of campaign organisations and their members that the Department of Heath have no part in setting up, administering or indeed determining the format and scope of any inquiry in which its actions are of significant interest to that inquiry's investigations. To do so would be a huge conflict of interest  and the Birchgrove Group is deeply concerend that such a meeting has even been called by the Department of Health when this conflict of interest is so apparent. 

We welcome the inquiry and the Prime Minister's commitment to work with campaign groups to decide on the appropriate format of the inquiry. We will fully engage and co-operate with this process when an appropriate independent and neutral body is appointed.