Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 1

Written Answers - Blood Transfusion Services.

Bernard Allen

Question:

209 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the position regarding the blood transfusion unit located at St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork; if he will sanction the construction of a blood transfusion plant; and if he will retain all the functions operated by the centre at present. [3267/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The organisation and management of the national blood transfusion service is a matter for the Blood Transfusion Service Board, BTSB, as specified in its Establishment Order. The BTSB recently completed the provision of new components processing and compatibility testing laboratories at the Cork centre at a cost of £464,000. Funding for this project was made available by my Department as a matter of priority in order to ensure that the BTSB continues to meet the requirements of the Irish Medicines Board, IMB. The BTSB has advised that the new laboratory is now among the best of its kind in Europe, and that, at a recent inspection by the IMB, the level of compliance was in accordance with the EC guide to good manufacturing practice. Additional capital requirements specified recently by the IMB are currently being assessed by the BTSB. My Department will consider further proposals from the board for additional capital investment including resources necessary to ensure regulatory compliance.

Following from the report of the tribunal of inquiry, the BTSB is implementing a wide-ranging programme of modernisation in order to adapt to emerging developments in blood transfusion. In the current year a number of new safety measures are being introduced to further improve blood safety. The introduction of these measures such as leucodepletion and PCR testing ensures that the safety of blood transfusion practices at the BTSB is as good as the best in the world. The cost of the various measures will be approximately £6.8 million in 1999 which has resulted in a unit price increase in red cells from £63 to £94. I have been given to understand that transfusion medicine continues to undergo rapid advancements. New technologies and additional new safety tests are being developed at present and the BTSB is continually assessing such developments to ensure that its practices are in line with best international standards consistent with efficiency and effectiveness.