Human blood, cell, tissue, and organ issues files
- GR-3509
- Series
- 1991-2011
The series consists of correspondence, issue papers, copies of briefing notes, copies of memoranda of understanding, Canadian Blood Services reports, corporate plans, budgets, and financial statements created between 1991 and 2011. The records were created by two bodies within the Ministry of Health : the Health Authorities division (and its predecessor, the Performance Management and Improvement division), and branches within the Medical Services division. Due to frequent reorganization of the Ministry of Health, the records were in the custody of a substantial number of successor divisions and branches before transferal to the Archives. The series documents issues of national and provincial importance, such as the tainted blood incident of the 1980s, and provides evidence of the Province’s reaction and involvement with such issues. The series consists of a great deal of correspondence from affected patients to the Ministry of Health, as patients sought assistance, compensation, and recognition of their experiences.
The series also consists of the interim reports from the Krever inquiry, as well as provincial and territorial responses to the report. The Krever inquiry, also known as the Royal Commission of Inquiry on the Blood System in Canada was established in 1993 to investigate allegations that contaminated blood and blood products had been supplied to patients. The inquiry recommended the foundation of Héma-Quebec and Canadian Blood Services and also made recommendations for compensation to affected patients.
The series also consists of records relating to various organ banks in British Columbia, including ear banks, cell transplants, and other human bone and tissue banks. Many of the records deal with allegations of contamination in both the medical equipment and the product supply chain itself. The series also consists of several volumes of annual and quarterly reports of Canadian Blood Services as well as the records of the Deputy Minister’s Policy Advisory committee. The records in the series deal with both blood-borne pathogens, such as West Nile virus, and contaminated blood and tissue products, as well as with medications and components of blood and tissue banks, such as buffy coat and Palivizumab,.
The series is covered by the Health Authority Performance Management ORCS schedule (schedule 122532, secondary 25600-20) and is arranged by issue
British Columbia. Health Authorities division