Two physicians on 11-member blood board CMAJ 1997;157:1339 © 1997 Canadian Medical Association Two physicians have been named to the 11-member Transition Bureau that will manage the country's move to a new blood-collection system. The new body will be taking over the role currently held by the Canadian Red Cross. The bureau, which will be headed by Bernard Doyle, CEO of the Canadian Blood Agency, has 3 representatives each from Western Canada, Ontario and Atlantic Canada, one from the federal government and one to represent consumers. Dr. David Mowat, a community health specialist, will be one of the Ontario representatives, while Dr. Michael Shannon, director general of the Laboratory Centre for Disease Control, will represent the federal government. The Red Cross continues to operate the blood-collection system, but the new organization will take over no later than next September. The new bureau has no representatives from Quebec, which refused to join the national body for political reasons. If it eventually does join, it will also receive 3 seats on the Transition Bureau, which is to manage all steps involved in making the new system operational. Confusion surrounding the new system may be the reason behind a drop in blood donations. Hospitals across Canada are reporting serious shortages, and health ministers recently urged Canadians to return to donor clinics. Send a letter to the editor responding to this article Envoyez une lettre à la rédaction au sujet de cet article | CMAJ November 15, 1997 (vol 157, no 10) / JAMC le 15 novembre 1997 (vol 157, no 10) |