Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 6

Written Answers. - Blood Products.

Dan Neville

Question:

201 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people identified as being exposed to contaminated blood products following examination of all hospital records which was indicated in 2002 (details supplied). [14886/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The examination of records referred to by the Deputy relates to the tracing of persons with mild haemophilia who, because of the nature of their condition, may not have had contact with haemophilia treatment services for many years, if at all, and thus may not have availed of viral testing using the more accurate tests which are now available.

A proposal for the assessment of the viral status of persons with inherited bleeding disorders who received or may have received plasma-derived clotting factor concentrates prior to 1992 has been developed by the national haemophilia director, together with other treating consultants, my Department and the Irish Blood Transfusion Service. The first phase of the tracing programme will be to identify persons with mild haemophilia, to review their test results and, where necessary, to perform new tests. Patient details will be recorded on a central database, which will enable the national centre for hereditary coagulation disorders at St. James's Hospital to monitor the viral status, care and treatment of this cohort on an ongoing basis. The system will be linked to regional haemophilia treatment centres and will provide an expert system to facilitate the use of common treatment protocols. Work has already begun on the development of the computer system necessary to underpin the tracing programme.

Any person who is newly diagnosed with a relevant viral condition will be offered a follow-up appointment, consultation with an appropriate psychology or social work service and a review with hepatology or infectious diseases services. They will also be notified of the patient support service provided by the Irish Haemophilia Society.