The Minister for Health and Children is to come under pressure to hold an independent inquiry into the Irish Blood Transfusion Service's decision to end blood sample testing at its Cork centre when he meets a delegation of medical practitioners today.
The Cork-based Blood Products Liaison Group, headed by the former chairwoman of the Southern Health Board, Dr Catherine Molloy, is to meet Mr Martin in Cork this afternoon to seek a review of the blood bank's controversial decision to centralise testing at its Dublin headquarters.
There is speculation that Mr Martin may announce a funding package for the Cork centre's other blood services at the meeting, rather than agree to seek a reversal of the IBTS's decision.
A spokeswoman for Mr Martin confirmed "there are significant developments planned for the centre" but would not comment further. The liaison group is concerned that the termination of testing is part of an attempt by the IBTS to downgrade services in Cork.
Dr Stephen Cusack, accident and emergency consultant at Cork University Hospital and a member of the group, said local doctors were also annoyed that "no adequate explanation" for the move had been given.
"We will be asking the Minister for an independent inquiry into the decision. There are just too many questions still unanswered."
The issue has been complicated by a conflict over the removal of Dr Joan Power, the director of the Cork centre, from a range of key bodies and committees.
Certain Cork staff have been ordered to report directly to the IBTS's Dublin headquarters rather than to her.
Dr Cusack stressed the opposition to single-site testing had nothing to do with a Cork/Dublin rivalry. "This is an issue for the whole of Munster. There is a total lack of confidence from the medical profession here in this decision."
He added: "The high-handedness is extraordinary. After the Lindsay tribunal and the hepatitis C scandal - now to give us this debacle."
