Blood service apology to donors with hepatitis C

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) has formally apologised to over 30 donors for delays in notifying them that they had tested positive for the hepatitis C virus.

A total of 34 donors, based in the Munster area, were affected by the delays which occurred in the early 1990s.

Three of these donors are currently suing the IBTS.

A recent internal report commissioned by the IBTS revealed differences in practices between the blood centres in Dublin and Cork on notifying donors that they had tested positive for hepatitis C.

From January 1992 the Dublin centre informed donors who had tested positive for the condition.

However, the report drawn up by Prof Bernard Kubanek found that in Cork it took until November 1993 "to recognise that donors who tested positive on Riba-2 and Riba-3 tests should be notified and referred for further assessment".

In a statement yesterday the IBTS said that groups representing donors affected by the delay in notification had sought an apology at meetings following publication of the Kubanek report.

The IBTS said it wished to apologise to donors and their families for the delay on the part of the service in notifying the donors of their hepatitis C test results following donations made in 1991 and 1993.

"The Irish Blood Transfusion Service fully acknowledges the pain and suffering of the donors and their families as a consequence of not informing donors of such results as soon as they became available and for this the board is deeply sorry," it stated.

The Positive Action group last night said it acknowledged the apology issued by the IBTS.

"We are aware of the extensive pain and suffering that the delay of this notification has caused to our members and their families." Positive Action said it welcomed the findings of the Kubanek report.

Former minister for health Micheál Martin promised a statutory inquiry into the delay about three years ago.

However, it was unclear last night as to whether Minister for Health Mary Harney intended to commission such an investigation.

In a statement last night the Department of Health said Ms Harney understood that the Kubanek report commissioned by the IBTS had addressed a number of issues raised by the representative groups about the delay in notifying donors.

"She welcomes the fact that there have been ongoing discussions between the IBTS and the representative groups in relation to the report and that the IBTS has apologised for the pain and suffering caused to donors."