Global InformationAdvisory Committee on the Virological Safety of Blood information
| Abbreviation | ACVSB |
|---|---|
| Successor | Microbiological Safety of Blood and Tissues (MSBT)[1] |
| Formation | 8 March 1989[2] |
| Founder | Dr H. H. Gunson, and DHSS[3] |
| Defunct | February 1993[1][4] |
| Type | Advisory |
| Focus | Blood safety, maintaining adequate blood supplies, testing and screening of blood donors[5] |
| Location |
|
Key people | Dr E L Harris (chair);[6] Dr J Metters (chair from August 1989)[7] |
The Advisory Committee on the Virological Safety of Blood, often abbreviated to ACVSB,[8] was a committee formed in March 1989[2] in the United Kingdom to devise policy[9] and advise ministers[10] and the Department of Health on the safety of blood with respect to viral infections.[11] The scope of the ACVSB concerned areas of significant policy for the whole of the United Kingdom and operated under the terms of reference: "To advise the Health Departments of the UK on measures to ensure the virological safety of blood, whilst maintaining adequate supplies of appropriate quality for both immediate use and for plasma processing."[5] Of particular emphasis to the remit was the testing of blood donors using surrogate markers for Non-A Non-B hepatitis (NANBH)[12] and later on, HCV-screening of blood donors.[11]
The first meeting took place on 4 April 1989 and was chaired by the (then) Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr E L Harris.[6][13] From August 1989, Dr J Metters, also DCMO, sat as chair.[7] The advice to be given by the committee extended to blood products and donor organs as well as blood, and the viral agents to be considered by the group were HIV1 and HIV2, HTLV-I, Non A Non B Hepatitis, CMV, parvovirus and the prion disease Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD).[9]
- ^ a b Turner, Marc (7 October 2021). "Written Statement of Marc Turner" (PDF). infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk. Infected Blood Inquiry. WITN3530007. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
Prior to the formation of SaBTO advice was provided at UK Government level by the Committee for the Microbiological Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (MSBTO) and its predecessor, the Committee for the Microbiological Safety of Blood and Tissues (MSBT) (1993 -2007). Prior to that we understand that advice was provided on a national level by a body called the Advisory Committee on the Virological Safety of Blood (ACVSB).
- ^ a b A & Ors v National Blood Authority & Ors, QB 446, 100 (EWHC 2001) ("The Department confirmed to Dr Gunson on 8 March 1989, when it set up the ACVSB...").
- ^ Preliminary Report (Report). Penrose Inquiry. 2010. para 9.34. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
Dr Gunson had recommended to the DHSS that a group should be established and this had been agreed.
- ^ Burgess, Kaya; Halle, Martyn (13 May 2019). "Bereaved families fear blood scandal cover‑up by officials". The Times. London. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
The committee produced 17 volumes of documents and the files were closed in February 1993.
- ^ a b Advisory Committee on the Virological Safety of Blood. "Terms of Reference" (PDF). penroseinquiry.org.uk. Penrose Inquiry. SNB.001.9366. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Advisory Committee on the Virological Safety of Blood - Members" (PDF). penroseinquiry.org.uk. Penrose Inquiry. SNB.001.9364. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
- ^ a b Metters, Jeremy (14 July 1998). "Dr Jeremy Metters (scheduled to give evidence 14th July 1998)" (PDF). bseinquiry.gov.uk. BSE Inquiry. No 116. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
I have also been Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Virological Society of Blood (ACVSB) since August 1989.
- ^ A & Ors v National Blood Authority & Ors, 446, 11 (EWCH 2001) ("...and reported back to the two high powered committees on which he sat, the UK Advisory Committee on Virological Safety of Blood ('ACVSB'), and the UK Advisory Committee on Transfusion Transmitted Diseases ('ACTTD')...").
- ^ a b "Note of Meeting of the Advisory Committee on the Virological Safety of Blood held at Hannibal House" (PDF). penroseinquiry.org.uk. 4 April 1989. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
The task of the Advisory Committee was to devise policy...
- ^ Advisory Committee on the Virological Safety of Blood (4 April 1989). Minutes of the First Meeting on 4 April 1989 at the Department of Health (PDF) (Report). Penrose Inquiry. SNF.001.1219. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
He explained that the Committee had been set up to give advice to the UK Health Ministers.
- ^ a b "9 - Hepatitis 1986 to date". Preliminary Report (Report). Penrose Inquiry. 2010. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
The ACVSB advised the UK government, among other things, on surrogate testing of blood donors for NANB Hepatitis and screening of donors for Hepatitis C.
- ^ Health Committee (2001). Follow Up Submission by the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (Report). Scottish Parliament. SP Paper 398. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
Surrogate testing of blood donations in relation to Non A Non B hepatitis formed an important part of its business.
- ^ Written Statement of Dr Gail Miflin (NHSBT) (PDF) (Report). Infected Blood Inquiry. 19 October 2021. p. 218. WITN0672006. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
The ACVSB first met on 4 April 1989.