Dr Gunson succeeded Dr Tovey as consultant adviser in 1981 and, in light of challenges in finding a "unified date" to implement HIV antibody testing, he was asked to submit proposals for a centrally funded and managed service. Read more about Dr Gunson succeeded Dr Tovey as consultant adviser in 1981 and, in light of challenges in finding a "unified date" to implement HIV antibody testing, he was asked to submit proposals for a centrally funded and managed service.
In June 1940 it was recommended that regional blood depots should be established close to teaching or large district hospitals in big cities. These later became known as regional blood transfusion centres. Read more about In June 1940 it was recommended that regional blood depots should be established close to teaching or large district hospitals in big cities. These later became known as regional blood transfusion centres.
At a meeting between the CMO at the Ministry of Health and the Directors of the London depots "plans were put forward for a post-war blood transfusion service. It was agreed that there should be a nationwide service managed centrally by the Ministry of Health". Read more about At a meeting between the CMO at the Ministry of Health and the Directors of the London depots "plans were put forward for a post-war blood transfusion service. It was agreed that there should be a nationwide service managed centrally by the Ministry of Health".
A technical evaluation of Abbott Laboratories' AIDS antibody test and one other was expected to be completed by July 1985. Mr Harris expressed to the minister the Health Services Division's view that "it would not be helpful to have no other choice than Abbott since their test requires special equipment" and that "it would be preferable to have a British test evaluated as a possible candidate". Read more about A technical evaluation of Abbott Laboratories' AIDS antibody test and one other was expected to be completed by July 1985. Mr Harris expressed to the minister the Health Services Division's view that "it would not be helpful to have no other choice than Abbott since their test requires special equipment" and that "it would be preferable to have a British test evaluated as a possible candidate".
Dr Acheson wrote to Dr Abrams and told his deputy that "unresolved technical challenges facing the UK test mean that it is unlikely to be first in the field", adding "We are likely to need to evaluate a number of other tests, largely from the United States, over the succeeding months". Read more about Dr Acheson wrote to Dr Abrams and told his deputy that "unresolved technical challenges facing the UK test mean that it is unlikely to be first in the field", adding "We are likely to need to evaluate a number of other tests, largely from the United States, over the succeeding months".
Dr Harris wrote to Dr Whitehead stating that although screening tests were being introduced in 1985/1986, it had become apparent at a regional general meeting of the Northern Region that screening had already been undertaken by the Public Health Laboratory Service and Dr Codd in Newcastle. Read more about Dr Harris wrote to Dr Whitehead stating that although screening tests were being introduced in 1985/1986, it had become apparent at a regional general meeting of the Northern Region that screening had already been undertaken by the Public Health Laboratory Service and Dr Codd in Newcastle.
Dr Cash confirmed to Dr Mitchell that "the WBTS should undertake, on behalf of the SNBTS, initial evaluation studies of commercial HTLV-III antibody kits, but current pressure from commercial organisations to meet their deadlines should be resisted and priority given to SNBTS interests." Read more about Dr Cash confirmed to Dr Mitchell that "the WBTS should undertake, on behalf of the SNBTS, initial evaluation studies of commercial HTLV-III antibody kits, but current pressure from commercial organisations to meet their deadlines should be resisted and priority given to SNBTS interests."
The Department of Health and Social Security proposed to set up an evaluation programme for investigating the performance of screening test systems for AIDS markers. Read more about The Department of Health and Social Security proposed to set up an evaluation programme for investigating the performance of screening test systems for AIDS markers.
The Committee to Study HIV Transmission Through Blood and Blood Products made the following recommendation to the Department of Health and Human Services in the United States: "Where uncertainties or countervailing public health concerns preclude completely eliminating potential risks, the FDA should encourage, and where necessary require, the blood industry to implement partial solutions that have little risk of causing harm." Read more about The Committee to Study HIV Transmission Through Blood and Blood Products made the following recommendation to the Department of Health and Human Services in the United States: "Where uncertainties or countervailing public health concerns preclude completely eliminating potential risks, the FDA should encourage, and where necessary require, the blood industry to implement partial solutions that have little risk of causing harm."
In a memo, Mr Harris wrote regarding Abbott's complaint that the UK could have had a test in place months ago: "we have dallied to allow the preferred UK manufacturer to catch up". Read more about In a memo, Mr Harris wrote regarding Abbott's complaint that the UK could have had a test in place months ago: "we have dallied to allow the preferred UK manufacturer to catch up".