Dr Gunson's proposals for pilot studies in Birmingham, Sheffield and Brentwood to the NHS Procurement Directorate were agreed and the studies took place over a two-week period in early December. Read more about Dr Gunson's proposals for pilot studies in Birmingham, Sheffield and Brentwood to the NHS Procurement Directorate were agreed and the studies took place over a two-week period in early December.
Virologists Drs Mortimer, Tedder, Follett and others met to agree proposed arrangements to be put in place for confirmatory testing at three reference laboratories. Read more about Virologists Drs Mortimer, Tedder, Follett and others met to agree proposed arrangements to be put in place for confirmatory testing at three reference laboratories.
The Working Group on Plasma Fractions met and noted that "Evidence of the value of the Chiron test for non-A non-B hepatitis is not yet available in this country. Future developments will be watched with much interest." Read more about The Working Group on Plasma Fractions met and noted that "Evidence of the value of the Chiron test for non-A non-B hepatitis is not yet available in this country. Future developments will be watched with much interest."
Dr Contreras wrote to colleagues at the North London Blood Transfusion Centre and Dr Gunson to protest that the proposed procedure for supplementary testing counselling and referral was "extremely complicated and astronomically expensive." Read more about Dr Contreras wrote to colleagues at the North London Blood Transfusion Centre and Dr Gunson to protest that the proposed procedure for supplementary testing counselling and referral was "extremely complicated and astronomically expensive."
Dr Rejman wrote to Dr Gunson regarding steps to be taken regarding Hepatitis C testing in advance of the next ACVSB meeting. Read more about Dr Rejman wrote to Dr Gunson regarding steps to be taken regarding Hepatitis C testing in advance of the next ACVSB meeting.
Professor Tedder raised a concern that ELISA-positive but RIBA-negative samples might contain the virus. Read more about Professor Tedder raised a concern that ELISA-positive but RIBA-negative samples might contain the virus.
At an ACVSB meeting it was again agreed that surrogate screening should not be introduced before the results of the multi-centre study were available. Read more about At an ACVSB meeting it was again agreed that surrogate screening should not be introduced before the results of the multi-centre study were available.
Dr Gunson advised all regional transfusion centre directors that no blood products should be issued from repeatedly ELISA-positive donations. Read more about Dr Gunson advised all regional transfusion centre directors that no blood products should be issued from repeatedly ELISA-positive donations.
John Canavan wrote for the attention of Baroness Hooper recommending that a "low key announcement" be released to mark the introduction of anti-HCV testing. He noted that "there may...be questions about why testing was not introduced earlier as it was in some other countries." Read more about John Canavan wrote for the attention of Baroness Hooper recommending that a "low key announcement" be released to mark the introduction of anti-HCV testing. He noted that "there may...be questions about why testing was not introduced earlier as it was in some other countries."
Dr Lloyd recorded that "My only regret is that we didn't introduce [HCV testing] earlier. The coordinating activity of the National Directorate appears to have provided us with a lowest common denominator approach rather than a best possible approach." Read more about Dr Lloyd recorded that "My only regret is that we didn't introduce [HCV testing] earlier. The coordinating activity of the National Directorate appears to have provided us with a lowest common denominator approach rather than a best possible approach."