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Blood Use (Committee Of Inquiry)

Volume 19: debated on Wednesday 3 March 1982

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asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has yet received the report of the Committee of inquiry set up by the Board of Governors of the National Heart Hospital into the use of blood; and if he will make a statement.

I have now studied carefully the report from the board of governors of the National Heart and Chest hospitals which my hon. Friend the Minister for Health requested following allegations in the press in October 1980 about misuse of blood and blood products.The report reveals serious defects in procedures at the hospital, which are now being rectified by the board of governors. The report also suggests that there is need for improvements in record keeping procedures in the blood transfusion service and I am arranging for these procedures to be looked at urgently.The report, however, also indicated the possibility of illegal action and I have, therefore, referred the report to the Director of Public Prosecutions.I wish to assure the public, and particularly all those who give their blood for use through the National Blood Transfusion Service, that we shall do everything necessary to maintain the integrity of that service. It is a vital part of our health services and I hope that there will be continued growth in donations, which last year exceeded 2 million.