Dr Barbara told the Inquiry that with hindsight, he did not believe there was any reason (provided they received the RIBAs) why the testing of the second generation tests couldn't have occurred in parallel with the introduction of testing for all donations. Read more about Dr Barbara told the Inquiry that with hindsight, he did not believe there was any reason (provided they received the RIBAs) why the testing of the second generation tests couldn't have occurred in parallel with the introduction of testing for all donations.
Dame Contreras told the Inquiry that with hindsight, testing could have started in July 1991 or earlier, once the second-generation tests were available. Read more about Dame Contreras told the Inquiry that with hindsight, testing could have started in July 1991 or earlier, once the second-generation tests were available.
In evidence, Dame Contreras told the Inquiry that arranging provision for counselling alongside anti-HCV testing was an issue of cost and manpower. Read more about In evidence, Dame Contreras told the Inquiry that arranging provision for counselling alongside anti-HCV testing was an issue of cost and manpower.
In her oral evidence to the inquiry, Dame Contreras reflected that there was little good reason for delaying the start of testing - a policy of waiting when it had already been agreed to introduce a test was always going to result in unnecessary infections. Read more about In her oral evidence to the inquiry, Dame Contreras reflected that there was little good reason for delaying the start of testing - a policy of waiting when it had already been agreed to introduce a test was always going to result in unnecessary infections.
Professor Tedder presented a paper on the development of a novel PCR-based assay that might provide another test in the future. Read more about Professor Tedder presented a paper on the development of a novel PCR-based assay that might provide another test in the future.
Dr Charles Rizza wrote to all haemophilia centre directors and advised that Ortho were expected to supply test kits "for the non A non B marker, anti hepatitis virus C" to the PHLS in order to test several hundred people with haemophilia. Read more about Dr Charles Rizza wrote to all haemophilia centre directors and advised that Ortho were expected to supply test kits "for the non A non B marker, anti hepatitis virus C" to the PHLS in order to test several hundred people with haemophilia.
John Canavan circulated a first draft of a submission recommending the introduction of anti-HCV screening. Read more about John Canavan circulated a first draft of a submission recommending the introduction of anti-HCV screening.
Sir Robert McCrindle wrote to Virginia Bottomley attaching a complaint he had received from a constituent about the extensive resources being used for Hepatitis C testing. Read more about Sir Robert McCrindle wrote to Virginia Bottomley attaching a complaint he had received from a constituent about the extensive resources being used for Hepatitis C testing.
Dr Metters wrote a minute suggesting that the next ACVSB meeting should be brought forward to consider whether routine anti-HCV screening of blood donations should commence. Read more about Dr Metters wrote a minute suggesting that the next ACVSB meeting should be brought forward to consider whether routine anti-HCV screening of blood donations should commence.
The ACVSB working group on the further anti-HCV testing pilot met Department of Health officials and decided that an extended study of RIBA and PCR techniques for confirmatory testing might no longer be appropriate in light of an FDA decision. Read more about The ACVSB working group on the further anti-HCV testing pilot met Department of Health officials and decided that an extended study of RIBA and PCR techniques for confirmatory testing might no longer be appropriate in light of an FDA decision.