A and Others v National Blood Authority and Another

Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (Tudor crown)

A and Others v National Blood Authority and Another is a landmark legal case in the United Kingdom that dealt with the issue of negligence and product liability within the context of the supply of blood products. This case is significant for its implications on the standards of care and liability in the medical and healthcare sectors, particularly concerning the transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) through blood transfusions.

Background

The case arose when patients who had received blood transfusions were diagnosed with variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), a fatal brain disorder. The plaintiffs argued that the National Blood Authority (NBA) and the other defendants were negligent in screening and supplying the blood products, thereby causing the patients to contract the disease.

Judgment

The High Court of Justice ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, finding that the National Blood Authority had breached its duty of care to the patients. The court held that the NBA was liable for the harm caused to the patients due to its failure to adequately screen the blood products for vCJD. This judgment was pivotal in establishing the liability of blood suppliers for the transmission of diseases through blood transfusions, setting a precedent for future cases involving similar issues.

Implications

The case had significant implications for the healthcare industry, leading to stricter regulations and standards for the screening and supply of blood products in the UK. It also highlighted the importance of ensuring the safety of medical products and the need for healthcare providers to adhere to high standards of care to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases.

See Also

• Product liability
• Negligence
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
• Healthcare in the United Kingdom