Westminster's position was that the announcement could not go ahead until there was agreement between all territorial departments. Read more about Westminster's position was that the announcement could not go ahead until there was agreement between all territorial departments.
Dr Andrzej Rejman reported to Dr Metters that the lookback exercise was not being pursued with enough vigour. Read more about Dr Andrzej Rejman reported to Dr Metters that the lookback exercise was not being pursued with enough vigour.
The "Evening Standard" reported that the UK Government was considering introducing a lookback, following the death of 12 people with haemophilia and concern about the risk to 3,000 patients who had received blood transfusions. However, there was no reference to undertaking a Hepatitis C lookback within the briefing note sent to the Prime Minister and Health Ministers. Read more about The "Evening Standard" reported that the UK Government was considering introducing a lookback, following the death of 12 people with haemophilia and concern about the risk to 3,000 patients who had received blood transfusions. However, there was no reference to undertaking a Hepatitis C lookback within the briefing note sent to the Prime Minister and Health Ministers.
A minute from Roger Scofield recorded that Hepatitis C had moved from being "a problem on the horizon to a highly political and volatile policy issue". Read more about A minute from Roger Scofield recorded that Hepatitis C had moved from being "a problem on the horizon to a highly political and volatile policy issue".
George Tucker wrote to the Minister's private secretary and clarified that after Westminster's agreement to undertake a Hepatitis C lookback, the plan was for a harmonised approach. Read more about George Tucker wrote to the Minister's private secretary and clarified that after Westminster's agreement to undertake a Hepatitis C lookback, the plan was for a harmonised approach.
The Department of Health claimed the reason for no national lookback was that there was no treatment available for Hepatitis C, which meant once individuals were found, and it was established they had been infected with Hepatitis C, then there was no form of treatment to offer them. Read more about The Department of Health claimed the reason for no national lookback was that there was no treatment available for Hepatitis C, which meant once individuals were found, and it was established they had been infected with Hepatitis C, then there was no form of treatment to offer them.
Marguerite Weatherseed wrote to Dr Metters to accept improvements were required in communication between the Blood Transfusion Service and hospitals where there were particular problems and offering assistance to overcome the bottlenecks. Read more about Marguerite Weatherseed wrote to Dr Metters to accept improvements were required in communication between the Blood Transfusion Service and hospitals where there were particular problems and offering assistance to overcome the bottlenecks.
HCV lookback did not look at all cases. The exercise concentrated only on those donors who happened to come back to give blood. It did not address Hepatitis C infection from donors who did not return. Read more about HCV lookback did not look at all cases. The exercise concentrated only on those donors who happened to come back to give blood. It did not address Hepatitis C infection from donors who did not return.
The Chief Medical Officer wrote to to all hospital consultants and GPs in Northern Ireland to say that the HCV lookback exercise would be completed by 1995. Read more about The Chief Medical Officer wrote to to all hospital consultants and GPs in Northern Ireland to say that the HCV lookback exercise would be completed by 1995.
In 1975, radioimmunological assay began to be used ("RIA") to screen for Hepatitis B with greater sensitivity, though still missing around one third of infections, and further refinements followed into the early 1980s. Read more about In 1975, radioimmunological assay began to be used ("RIA") to screen for Hepatitis B with greater sensitivity, though still missing around one third of infections, and further refinements followed into the early 1980s.