Prof Ian Temperley admitted yesterday it might have slipped his mind that he took a blood sample from a haemophiliac for HIV testing when he wished him well on starting a family.
The doctor was responding to the personal testimony of Deirdre, whose husband Declan died from AIDS, and who, in her evidence to the tribunal, criticised Prof Temperley for not waiting for the result of the test before advising them they could proceed with plans to have children.
Deirdre was five months pregnant when Declan's positive test result came back in July 1985.
Prof Temperley said he might not have remembered the test at the time of his discussion with Declan, adding that he did not think the test would be positive. This, he said, was because Declan had received so little treatment for his haemophilia.
The HIV test "was not in my mind. It was in the distance," said Prof Temperley. He added that he had the best of intentions when he said what he said to Declan.
Earlier, the doctor described as "upsetting" the fact that a woman learnt of her son's HIV infection through a chance remark by a nurse rather than through a proper consultation. He was responding to the evidence of Jackie who said she was only told of the infection by a hospital nurse in January 1986.
Jackie claimed Prof Temperley confirmed her son was HIV-positive and then "just disappeared down the corridor". The doctor said he could not recall doing this.
