HC Deb 22 November 1954 vol 533 c778
44. Dr. Stross

asked the Minister of Health how many regional blood transfusion centres have installed the new equipment for blood transfusion; and how many complaints have been received by him, in addition to the complaint from Stoke-on-Trent, that the design of the new apparatus does not take into account the possibility of the blood having a considerable amount of gel in it.

Mr. Iain Macleod

Four centres covering five regional hospital board areas. Two other complaints have been received in my Department, but neither mentioned this particular criticism which the new set is designed to meet.

Dr. Stross

Does that answer mean that the Minister is now satisfied that these new sets are working quite well, and that they may be left as they are without any further improvement?

Mr. Macleod

No. They do not seem to have been wholly satisfactory under pressure, which I think is the point the hon. Member had in mind. We are carrying out certain modifications, and where we issue new sets we still test them in as much detail as we can, which, I think, should cover the point.