In a letter to EG Jones, Dr Lee stated that he was concerned that providing a patient with the information that he or she had received a potentially contaminated unit of blood would give them the necessary ammunition to take action against them on the grounds of product liability. Read more about In a letter to EG Jones, Dr Lee stated that he was concerned that providing a patient with the information that he or she had received a potentially contaminated unit of blood would give them the necessary ammunition to take action against them on the grounds of product liability.
Dr Lee stated in a letter to the legal adviser of the North Western Regional Health Authority that it would be very valuable to undertake a lookback exercise to find out whether patients had been issued blood contaminated with HCV but he was concerned that by seeking this information and consent it could lay them open to litigation. Read more about Dr Lee stated in a letter to the legal adviser of the North Western Regional Health Authority that it would be very valuable to undertake a lookback exercise to find out whether patients had been issued blood contaminated with HCV but he was concerned that by seeking this information and consent it could lay them open to litigation.
A letter from Eric Jones stated that he would be wary of pursuing look back inquiries because he wondered whether the comparative benefit of such exercise outweighed the risk of patients taking proceedings against the National Blood Transfusion Service. Read more about A letter from Eric Jones stated that he would be wary of pursuing look back inquiries because he wondered whether the comparative benefit of such exercise outweighed the risk of patients taking proceedings against the National Blood Transfusion Service.
Dr Edwards informed Dr Martlew that a patient had tested positive for Hepatitis B surface antigen and that he had received two transfusions dating back to December 1986. It also stated that his liver function was not deranged prior to the transfusion although his hepatitis status was not checked. Read more about Dr Edwards informed Dr Martlew that a patient had tested positive for Hepatitis B surface antigen and that he had received two transfusions dating back to December 1986. It also stated that his liver function was not deranged prior to the transfusion although his hepatitis status was not checked.
In a letter to Dr Edwards, Dr Vanessa Martlew stated that she had invited donors for further blood tests in connection with Dr Edwards' patient developing jaundice. Read more about In a letter to Dr Edwards, Dr Vanessa Martlew stated that she had invited donors for further blood tests in connection with Dr Edwards' patient developing jaundice.
In a report published about HCV lookback in Northern Ireland, there were multiple issues highlighted including legal liability, lack of resources and difficulties in tracing hospital records. Read more about In a report published about HCV lookback in Northern Ireland, there were multiple issues highlighted including legal liability, lack of resources and difficulties in tracing hospital records.
The Hepatitis C lookback programme was expanded to include indeterminate test results. Read more about The Hepatitis C lookback programme was expanded to include indeterminate test results.
As noted in the meeting minutes of a regional transfusion directors meeting, it was noted that the need for greater staff resource and more resources generally was a great issue. Read more about As noted in the meeting minutes of a regional transfusion directors meeting, it was noted that the need for greater staff resource and more resources generally was a great issue.
In a formal publication of the HCV lookback report, it was reported that 31% of results could not be identified due to inability to access reports. 61% were known to be dead at the time of tracing. Read more about In a formal publication of the HCV lookback report, it was reported that 31% of results could not be identified due to inability to access reports. 61% were known to be dead at the time of tracing.
The announcement of an HCV lookback scheme was seen as rather sudden and a memo from Sue Knowles to Dr Lorna Williamson asked for further information on the HCV lookback scheme; "If anyone has gleaned any more than I have, please do share it!" Read more about The announcement of an HCV lookback scheme was seen as rather sudden and a memo from Sue Knowles to Dr Lorna Williamson asked for further information on the HCV lookback scheme; "If anyone has gleaned any more than I have, please do share it!"