Dai Havard

Labour Party | Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney

CJD Reports Could Prove Dangerous For Patients – Warns MP

Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney MP Dai Havard says. “The report that CJD deaths are down from last year should not take the pressure off the need to use more alternatives to blood transfusions.”

The MP has been warning the Health Dep’t and the Treasury of the dangers and costs of not making alternatives available for cancer patients and in elective surgery.

Dai Havard MP says,

“The principle of precautionary actions must be applied more vigorously. There is no evidence in this report  or from the inquiry into incidents at Middlesbrough Hospital  last year, that shows the problem of cross infection has gone away or is any less.

Any danger for thousands of cancer patients and others could be reduced tomorrow with the greater use of alternatives to pumping blood.

I have got the Government to refer the use of alternatives for some cancer patients to NICE but we need action now to improve both safety and care.

It can be done and be cost effective. I am not sure how much more evidence is needed but these reports don’t let anyone of the hook.”

Doctors who continue to give blood when there are alternatives may well find later that they were protected for civil claims but not for criminal negligence, something already being investigated in Scotland.”