Thanks. It wasn't so much the "thickness" of the general public or, God
forbid, the prospect of upsetting Tony & co that concerns me; rather the
largely unsubstantiable claims or inferences of a definitive diagnosis
and thus false senses of security or doom that some of these kits may
offer. I agree that "labs on line" may be a helpful way forward in some
cases.
Regards, Ian
Ian Johnson
Chief Biomedical Scientist - Haematology
University Hospital Lewisham
London SE13 6LH
Tel: 0208 333 3000 ext 6157
email: [log in to unmask]
Fax: 0208 333 3006
>>> [log in to unmask] 10/12/02 15:23:40 >>>
On the one hand, some form of accreditation to ensure kits are safe and
fit
for purpose would seem desirable. I am not sure legislation is the
practical
answer. We have probably missed the boat there.
On the other hand, Government policy at the moment seems to be to get
the
public more involved in their own health care rather than less. They
see as
a means to exert pressure to improve standards. Tony and co. would
probably
find health professionals claiming only they know best and that the
'general
public' are too thick to handle a bit of basic medicine an old
fashioned
idea. The genie is out of the bag, as they say.
Initiatives such as "lab tests on line', for all their faults, aimed
at
educating the 'general public' about appropriate use of tests are
probably
more the way things are going.
regards
Stephen Frost
-----Original Message-----
From: Ian Johnson [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, December 10, 2002 3:00 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: POCT in the community
I think there is an urgent need for legislative control on self-test
kits - for the reasons you give. Interestingly, the BBC currently
have
have a piece entitled "DIY disease kits criticised" on their site -
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/2559261.stm.
Ian Johnson
Chief Biomedical Scientist - Haematology
University Hospital Lewisham
London SE13 6LH
Tel: 0208 333 3000 ext 6157
Fax: 0208 333 3006
>>> [log in to unmask] 10/12/02 12:52:58 >>>
You can already 'find out your blood group' for free and get a cup of
tea
into the bargain - just give blood!
Caroline Jagger
Royal Preston Hospital
-----Original Message-----
From: Janice Still [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 10 December 2002 12:48
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: POCT in the community
A colleague informs me that you can now get kits to
"find out your blood group" in Boots. Why?? Are they
going into the DIY transfusion service? Also PSA kits
- presumably no counselling before you buy, no advice
on the implications of a positive and the false sense
of security if the test is negative. Does anyone else
feel that some form of regulation should be required
before such potentially dangerous kits are let loose
on the general public?
Jan
=====
<P>Mrs. Jan Still,</P>
<P>POCT Manager,</P>
<P>Watford General Hospital,</P>
<P>Watford, Herts.</P>
<P>WD18 0HB Tel - 01923-217998.</P>
<P>The views expressed in this document are entirely personal and do
not
reflect the official policy of West Herts NHS Hospitals Trust.</P>
<P> </P>
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