Doctor suspended in blood transfusion scandal of 1994

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has suspended the doctor that uncovered the blood transfusion scandal in 1994.

Dr Joan Power became a key figure in the argument over centralised blood testing once she uncovered the fact that healthy women had been infected with hepatitis C as a result of infected blood products.

The IBTS was and is in favour of centralising the testing of all blood products in Dublin, while Dr Power and St Finbarr’s Hospital in Cork have lobbied continually to provide a back up service to the Dublin facility

The reason behind Dr Power’s suspension is not clear, although it has been confirmed by the Irish Hospital Consultants Association.