GMC U-turn in blood tests row

Apr 14 2003 By The Journal

Claims that hundreds of hospital patients were secretly tested for a killer disease and then kept in the dark for up to six years about the results are to be investigated by the GMC.

The Journal revealed in January that haemophiliacs up and down the country had discovered from their medical notes they were screened for the hepatitis C virus between 1990 and 1992.

Many claim hospitals did not seek their permission to be tested and even though the majority were positive for the disease, they claim their health and that of their loved ones was put at risk because they were not told they had the virus - in some cases for up to six years.

Haemophiliacs from Newcastle, North Tyneside, Teesside, Manchester and Birmingham, wrote to the Department of Health and the General Medical Council, demanding an inquiry into what they say is an infringement of their human rights.

Initially the GMC told them it was likely their request would be refused because they were outside the five-year time period in which a complaint has to be lodged - a rule only introduced last October.

But now comes a major U-turn by the professional medical watchdog, which last week reversed its decision and agreed to investigate their claims. Peter Longstaff, a haemophiliac from Jesmond, Newcastle, infected with both hepatitis C and HIV, is one of the patients whose case is to be considered.

He says he wasn't told he had hepatitis C until 1994, although his records clearly show he was tested - without consent - as early as 1992.

His partner Carol Grayson, Chairwoman of Haemophilia Action UK, said: "We have been unable to get the answers we want from our local hospitals because some records have gone missing and others are no longer available so the GMC was our only hope.

"We are delighted they have agreed to take up the case."

Another North-East haemophiliac, who asked not to be named, has discovered he first tested positive for the virus in 1990 - four years before he says he was told.

He said: "We have been treated like laboratory mice - and denied the opportunity of having any kind of say in the matter."

In a letter to Mr Longstaff, Tim Cox-Brown, a caseworker in the Fitness to Practise Directorate at the GMC, says: "In my last letter to you I explained that your complaint had been referred to a member of the GMC for a decision as to whether our involvement is merited, given that the events giving rise to the complaint occurred more than five years ago. The member has now decided we should consider the complaint."

Lord Morris, president of the Haemophilia Society, said: "At the very least the Government has a moral responsibility to compensate these people. With every new piece of information that comes to light the need for a public inquiry increases."

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