Medical Council launches blood probe exclusive by Fergal Bowers In a dramatic development, the Irish Medical Council has served an order on the Blood Bank to hand over documents relating to the hepatitis C infection scandal so that it can conduct a formal inquiry into its former Medical Director, Dr Terry Walsh. Irishhealth.com has learned that 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. It is the first time that any person in the blood infection controversy has been ordered to an inquiry to face allegations of professional misconduct. The Medical Council is holding a Fitness to Practise Inquiry into the actions of Dr Terry Walsh who was found by the Finlay Blood Tribunal to be 'in important neglect of his duty' in the infection scandal whereby over 1,000 women were contaminated with the hepatitis C virus.
[Posted: Mon 12/08/2002]
Former Blood Bank medical director, Dr Terry Walsh - now faces inquiry by the Irish Medical Council into his actions in the hepatitis C infection scandal. 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.
