Dr Muiris Houston, Medical Correspondent, assesses how the medical profession has emerged from the tribunal report
The Lindsay report generally either commends doctors for their care, or largely exonerates them for any shortfall in the standard of care given to patients.
Judge Lindsay makes a number of references to the inadequate resources available to haematologists and others, and to the influence of the "cut-back culture" of the 1980s in doctors' decision- making. Indeed, the influence of lack of funding on the quality of care is one message which should be heard loud and clear from yesterday's report.
One of the central medical witnesses, Dr Emer Lawlor, is singled out for particular praise. "The tribunal found Dr Lawlor's evidence very helpful. It was clear, thorough and careful in regard to factual matters." There is reference to how differently medicine was practised 20 years ago.
Prof Ian Temperley was the principal medical witness of the hearings and his pivotal role and wide range of responsibilities in looking after patients with haemophilia are acknowledged in the report.
Although criticised over a number of administrative issues, he emerges with his reputation intact. Acknowledging that some witnesses' perception of Prof Temperley was that he was "unapproachable, arrogant or dismissive", the report states firmly that "the tribunal does not believe he is or was arrogant, cold or dismissive", and "is satisfied that the medical care given by ProfTemperley and the doctors working with him in the National Haemophilia Treatment Centre . . . was of a high standard".
The tribunal also acknowledges the well-known phenomenon of patients "blocking out" unpleasant information during a consultation.
"The tribunal does not think it likely that patients were, in general, told in a perfunctory manner or only given limited information," the report said.
The issue of Prof Temperley's sabbatical in May 1985 emerges as crucial. While accepting that he had pressing reasons for taking a sabbatical, the tribunal notes that his absence on leave at the time when patients were being informed of their HIV results was "most unfortunate".
The suggestion by that Prof Temperley ought to have postponed his sabbatical seems a little harsh as he first sought a sabbatical a year earlier following an episode of ill health.