asked the Minister for Health whether his attention has been drawn to the statement made on 3rd May by Col. T. J. McKinney, at Pelican House, in which he said that the charge for blood for transfusion purposes would have to be increased in the near future; whether he will consider taking steps to avoid the necessity for such an increase by granting further assistance to the National Blood Transfusion Association; and if he will give an account of the means whereby the blood transfusion service is at present financed, with an account of the sources from which it receives such finance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Blood Transfusion Charges.
5.
I have seen the statement made by Col. T.J. McKinney, Chairman of the National Blood Transfusion Association, in the course of his annual report to the effect that consideration would have to be given to the revision of the service charges for blood and blood products. Any change in such charges proposed by the Association would require my approval. If such proposals should be made by the Association the Deputy may be assured that I will consider them very carefully having regard to the undesirability of increasing the charges unless this is shown to be unavoidable.
As regards the financing of the work of the Association, substantial grants amounting to a total of £86,385 were made available from the Exchequer in the period up to the end of 1954, during the early stages of the development of the service. Since then the Association has met its outgoings through the service charges levied for blood and blood products, and laboratory services. Depending on the circumstances, these charges fall to be met by health authorities, voluntary hospitals or private individuals.