Draft:Conan McIlwrath
| Submission declined on 7 January 2025 by Grahaml35 (talk). This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of people). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia.
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
|  |
Introduction Conan McIlwrath (born June 1982) is a British engineer, advocate, and Chair of The Haemophilia Society, a UK-based charity supporting people with bleeding disorders. He has been a key figure in the Infected Blood Inquiry, which investigates the contamination of blood products in the 1970s and 1980s, leading to many individuals contracting hepatitis C and HIV.
Early Life and Education Conan McIlwrath was born in Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, in 1982, and diagnosed with severe haemophilia A at birth, a condition that impairs blood clotting. As a child, he was given blood products that were later found to be contaminated, resulting in him contracting hepatitis C at stage one. His personal experience with this tragedy has fueled his advocacy work.
Career McIlwrath has worked in the Northern Ireland water industry for over 20 years, holding several management roles. His technical expertise has been crucial in advancing safety practices, including his involvement in initiatives like Utility Strikes Awareness Day—a campaign focused on raising awareness about the risks and safety concerns associated with utility strikes during construction projects (Water Industry Journal).
Advocacy Work McIlwrath’s involvement in The Haemophilia Society began in childhood, influenced by his parents’ active participation in the local group. He became a trustee of the society in 2019, later serving as Vice-Chair before being appointed Chair in November 2024.
He has been a leading advocate for victims of the Infected Blood Scandal. McIlwrath provided testimony during the Infected Blood Inquiry, highlighting the devastating impact of contaminated blood products on individuals and families. He discussed the emotional and physical toll, noting how those affected were stigmatized: “You were made to feel like you were dirty, like you had done something wrong” (BBC News).
In response to the report on the scandal, McIlwrath emphasized that the use of the word “failure” 190 times in the inquiry’s findings was no coincidence, saying, “you don’t use the word failure 190 times for nothing” (MSN News).
Additionally, McIlwrath contributed to discussions around the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme and its implementation in Northern Ireland, advocating for adequate support and compensation for those affected. In a significant development, victims of the scandal were recently granted increased payments, which McIlwrath has supported as a step towards justice (Q Radio).
Conan McIlwrath has also been vocal in supporting Paul Frew’s Private Members’ Bill advocating for a statutory duty of candour in healthcare. This bill, which seeks to mandate openness and honesty from healthcare providers when things go wrong, aligns with McIlwrath’s efforts to improve transparency and accountability in medical practices, particularly in cases such as the Infected Blood Scandal. McIlwrath’s support for the bill is a reflection of his commitment to ensuring victims of medical negligence and harm receive the truth about their cases (Northern Ireland Assembly Official Report).
In a BBC News interview, McIlwrath expressed concerns about the Infected Blood Compensation Scheme, particularly regarding its complexity and how the new scheme might affect victims once the current one ends in 2025. He stated: “It’s certainly a complex scheme, it’s going to take a while to get into the categories - infected or affected. I can understand the complexities – it could have been made simpler and a lot quicker, the government have had recommendations since last year.”
McIlwrath emphasized that the issue was not about money, but recognition for those who have suffered: “Support schemes will be deducted – I need to understand how my claim will continue or will it stop? The devil’s in the detail. It’s not about the money, it’s about recognition, and I welcome the compensation” (BBC News).
In a YouTube video discussing the matter, McIlwrath raised the issue of support payments in Northern Ireland being lower than those provided in the rest of the UK. He argued that the inconsistencies in support payments are unfair, pointing out the gap between the amounts allocated to victims in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, and calling for equal treatment for those impacted by contaminated blood products (YouTube).
Public Engagement McIlwrath’s active participation is also reflected in official reports and discussions at the Northern Ireland Assembly, where he has been involved in advocating for policies related to haemophilia and the Infected Blood Inquiry. His role as Vice-Chair of the UK Haemophilia Society placed him at the forefront of important conversations, contributing to the movement for compensation and justice for those affected by contaminated blood products (Northern Ireland Assembly Official Report).
Personal Life Conan McIlwrath resides in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, with his family. He remains a vocal advocate for the haemophilia community, using his platform to raise awareness about bleeding disorders and public health issues.
Recognition and Legacy • McIlwrath’s leadership in the haemophilia community has earned him recognition both within the UK and internationally. • His efforts in the Infected Blood Inquiry and the Compensation Scheme have helped to give a voice to individuals affected by the contaminated blood scandal.
References 1. “Infected Blood Inquiry: Hepatitis C Impact ‘Devastated’ Lives.” BBC News, 21 October 2022. Link 2. The Haemophilia Society official website: Link 3. YouTube Video: “Conan McIlwrath discusses the Infected Blood Inquiry.” Watch Video 4. “Utility Strikes Awareness Day.” Water Industry Journal. Link 5. “Pay and Politics Dominate the Year in Health.” MSN News. Link 6. “Contaminated Blood Victims to Receive Increased Payments.” Q Radio. Link 7. Northern Ireland Assembly Official Report on Haemophilia Issues. Link
References
[edit]Infected Blood Inquiry: Hepatitis C Impact ‘Devastated’ Lives.” BBC News, 21 October 2022. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-63351135 2. The Haemophilia Society official website: https://haemophilia.org.uk/ 3. YouTube Video: “Conan McIlwrath discusses the Infected Blood Inquiry.” https://youtube/-MwZX5zhbC0?si=x4cyGiKxo-p47Zxb 4. “Utility Strikes Awareness Day.” Water Industry Journal. https://www.waterindustryjournal.co.uk/utility-strikes-awareness-day 5. “Pay and Politics Dominate the Year in Health.” MSN News. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/pay-and-politics-dominate-the-year-in-health/ar-AA1wOT02 6. “Contaminated Blood Victims to Receive Increased Payments.” Q Radio. https://www.qradio.com/northwest/news/q-radio-local-news/contaminated-blood-victims-to-receive-increased-payments/ 7. Northern Ireland Assembly Official Report on Haemophilia Issues. https://aims.niassembly.gov.uk/officialreport/reportssearchresultsreport.aspx?&eveDate=2024/11/11&rId=416633&hwcID=4667178&m=0&c=0&p=0&s=1&mv=0&o=0&ov=0&cv=1&pv=0&sv=27&mi=All%20Members&pi=All%20Parties&si=2024-2025&k=BvjSV2sPIU%20DgjgZcAteOw==&fd=&td=&pg=1&pm=0&per=1