Martin supports IBTS board members against `personalised attacks'

Irish Blood Transfusion Service directors were suffering regrettable "personalised attacks" following the decision to end blood testing in Cork, the Minister for Health has said.

In an unusual intervention, Mr Martin paid tribute to the board, led by its chairwoman, Dr Patricia Barker, for its "untiring work in providing leadership and direction".

Relations between the Cork and Dublin branches of the IBTS have been strained over plans to close the Cork test centre and centralise all such work at its new Dublin headquarters.

The senior IBTS official in Munster, Dr Joan Power, has alleged the board misled the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children about the background to the transfer decision.

The IBTS team appeared twice before the committee, chaired by Fianna Fail Cork South Central TD Mr Batt O'Keeffe, once in 2000 and again early last month following Dr Power's allegations.

In a letter to the committee following its second appearance, a copy of which was sent to Mr Martin, Dr Barker complained bitterly about the treatment she and her colleagues received.

Replying on March 29th, the Minister appeared to criticise elements of the public campaign waged by Dr Power, the doctor who first spotted the link between hepatitis C and blood transfusions.

"It is most regrettable that what should be a calm and reasoned debate about testing has descended into personalised attacks on you and your colleagues," Mr Martin said.

"I fail to see how it contributes in any way to progressing the development of the organisation and seeking a resolution of internal differences."

Later, he went on: "The current debate on testing has exposed serious lines in the organisation which predate the current board and executive.

"This debate attempts to portray the organisation as split on geographic lines and seems to visualise Dublin and Cork as separate or competing entities.

"In my opinion this is clearly not the way forward and is not a platform on which to develop a national transfusion service. The governance of the board must be fully respected regardless of geography," he said.

He rejected charges that Dr Barker misled the committee about when she was appointed to the body: "It is abundantly clear from the transcript of 14 March 2000 that the committee was fully aware of the date of your appointment as chairperson and that the allegation that you misled the committee is without foundation.

"The reporting in the media of your appearance has also been less than fair," the Minister wrote.

Mr Martin said the board was "to be commended" for establishing a three-strong international panel to examine the testing decision.

"I want to assure you and your colleagues of my continued support for your untiring work in providing leadership and direction to this vital national service," he said.

Last night, committee chairman Mr O'Keeffe was clearly unhappy. "I am surprised that the Minister responded to a copy of a letter without giving an opportunity to [the committee on] Health and Children to respond."