Irish Medical Council orders Blood Bank to hand over documents

The Irish Medical Council has served an order on the Blood Bank to hand over documents relating to the Hepatitis C infection scandal to investigate its former medical director, Dr Terry Walsh.

The Medical Council, which polices doctors' behaviour, has issued an order on the Irish Blood Transfusion Service under legislation, for documentation produced for the Finlay Blood Tribunal.

The Medical Council has the power to censure, suspend or strike a doctor off the register for professional misconduct.

Dr Walsh is expected to vigorously defend his actions and reject any suggestions of misconduct.

Dr Walsh retired from the service in 1995 on full pension after an Expert Group Report found that he knew of a letter in 1991 showing a clear link between Hepatitis C and the product Anti-D.

Later, the Finlay Tribunal in 1997 also found that he failed to direct the non-use of product obtained from a patient as soon as he knew she had Hepatitis.

Dr Walsh joined the Blood Bank in 1969 and became its chief medical officer in 1988.

He still practices in Dublin in a private capacity.

Fergal Bowers of IrishHealth.com says this development is significant for the medical profession.