I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 145 together.
The background to the case is as follows. The woman concerned tested positive for hepatitis C in October 1997. However, a serious dispute emerged in this case between the woman and the Western Health Board regarding the source of her hepatitis C infection. The woman herself believes that the source was infected anti-D and is of the strong view that anti-D was administered to her following the birth of her child in Castlebar Hospital in March 1993. She alleges that a medical record was later altered to denote that anti-D was not administered. The board stated that their medical records show that anti-D was not administered to the woman while she was under their care in March 1993.
Tests carried out by the independent laboratory jointly run by the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service and the department of medical microbiology, University of Edinburgh, indicated that the source of the woman's hepatitis C infection was not the anti-D product manufactured by the BTSB. The laboratory's findings are disputed by the woman.
The board arranged for the woman's solicitors to gain access to all the hospital records relating to the case, including medical, nursing and laboratory records in their original format. I understand that the solicitors also met members of the hospital staff, including medical, nursing, laboratory staff and management, who explained the hospital's practices, procedures and record keeping arrangements in relation to the administration of anti-D. The hospital subsequently forwarded copies of any documentation requested by the solicitors.