Subscribe to Search results

Dr Metters wrote a memo to Mr Hart, discussing ACVSB concerns regarding the Chiron test, Ortho offering free tests and Dr Gunson's views that Chiron would eventually be introduced.

Published on:

A draft protocol of a pilot study to assess the introduction of routine anti-HCV tests in RTCs was completed, with the aims to conduct anti-HCV tests on circa 5000 donations in 1989, evaluate the performance of the test and assess the costs of screening other than the costs of test kits.

Published on:

NBTS met to discuss provisional results obtained from the evaluation of the Ortho HCV kit at three blood transfusion centres, including surrogate testing, other studies, screening implications, replacement of donations that tested positive, confirmatory test protocol, supply of equipment from Ortho, and the cost of testing.

Published on:

Dr Boulton wrote to Dr Lloyd stating that Dr Lloyd's decision to start HCV-testing earlier than the other RTCs was "breaking ranks" and "not conducive to the image of a co-ordinated Service".

Published on:

Dr Elwyn Elias of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital wrote to Dr Rejman, Department of Health, regarding the introduction of Hepatitis C testing of all blood donors in the UK.

Published on:

Miss Keenay wrote a note to Dr Metters and the Parliamentary Secretary about testing for non-A non-B Hepatitis in donated blood, namely that there was insufficient data regarding the Ortho test to advise its routine introduction.

Published on:

Dr Metters wrote to Dr Gunson, suggesting that the next ACVSB meeting should be brought forward and solely devoted to the question of whether routine anti-HCV screening of blood donations should commence, as "events are now moving fast."

Published on:

Peter Savage wrote to inform Dr Gunson that Ortho was shortly to commence clinical trials of a second-generation ELISA test, with improved sensitivity and specificity, and a second-generation RIBA test incorporating additional antigen bands.

Published on:

Dr Follett in Glasgow produced a full report of the Ortho and Abbott test kit trial.

Published on:

Dr Wagstaff wrote to Dr Gunson discussing the earliest date anti-HCV screening could commence.

Published on:

Dr Lloyd wrote to colleagues saying that Dr Gunson was looking for all red blood cells available for issue to be Hepatitis C negative by 30 June 1991, which would mean starting testing some weeks in advance.

Published on:

A letter from Dr Contreras to Dr Gunson expressed reluctance to start screening due to financial issues.

Published on:

Mr Macleod of the NHS Procurement Directorate wrote to Dr Gunson that the Department of Health had agreed that "there should be a 'second-round' comparative evaluation of Hepatitis C kits at the Newcastle, North London and Glasgow Regional Transfusion Centres with confirmatory testing to be carried out at the University College and Middlesex Hospital School of Medicine", to be completed by the end of April 1991.

Published on:

Professor Cash wrote to Dr Gunson that the recent development (ie the additional pilot stage) leading to a start date in September 1991, "has the SNBTS Directors' fullest support."

Published on:

The NBTS National Management Committee meeting noted that the ACTTD had received conflicting advice on the range of available confirmatory tests available. Dr Gunson offered to prepare a policy paper for the Committee after the next meeting of the ACVSB, by which time the evaluation of second-generation tests might have been completed.

Published on:

Dr Arthur Codd, consultant virologist at the PHLS in Newcastle stated "I understand that you will soon be screening blood donors for hepatitis C in advance of other transfusion centres" and inquired as to his proposed start date.

Published on:

The finalised version of a draft circular on changes to blood handling charges circulated to recipients in the Department of Health referred to a likely date of 1 September 1991 to commence HCV screening rather than the 1 July date which had previously been communicated.

Published on:

Dr Gunson wrote to Dr Contreras, stating that it was difficult to go against the advice of the virologists who were advising PCR as a confirmatory test, but now that they were having doubts, it was right that these were challenged and sensible conclusions arrived at.

Published on:

Dr Contreras wrote to Dr Lloyd stating that "a national approach might well have prompted the Department of Health to provide appropriate funding for testing."

Published on:

Dr Mortimer sent Dr Rejman a copy of minutes from an ad hoc meeting at which virologists drew up recommendations to transfusion services for confirmatory HIV testing.

Published on: