Fred Hyndman of Charlottetown has been appointed to the new Canadian Blood Services Board of Directors as the representative of the four Atlantic provinces. The appointment was announced recently by Saskatchewan Health Minister Clay Serby, on behalf of the provincial and territorial health ministers.
The new national blood authority, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) will assume responsibility for operating Canada's blood supply system later this fall. CBS will be overseen by a 13-person national board which will operate at arm's length from governments and play a key role in ensuring that Canadians have access to safe and adequate supplies of blood, blood products and their alternatives.
Mr. Hyndman is an insurance executive and managing director of Hyndman and Company Limited of Charlottetown. He is currently a director of Padinox Inc., Northumberland Ferries Limited, Maritime Electric Company Ltd., Insurance Broker's Association of P.E.I, and the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies.
In October, 1997 Mr. Hyndman was appointed to the Canadian Blood Services Transition Bureau. Health and Social Services Minister Dover indicated that the next few years will be very important ones in the development of the new blood system. "Mr. Hyndman is very knowledgeable of national blood issues, and very capable. Through his hard work and dedication as a member of the Transition Bureau, he was very highly recommended to his new position as a member of the national board," she said.
The immediate priority of the Board will be to achieve a seamless transition from the Canadian Red Cross Society to the new CBS. Minister Dover advised that this will include ensuring that existing blood donors and volunteers know how important it is for them to maintain their commitment to supporting the ‘gift of life'. "It means ensuring that the expertise of existing Red Cross staff is valued and they are treated fairly. And it means educating Canadians about the values that will guide the CBS and the steps that will be taken to ensure it meets international standards for safety and security," she said.