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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 6

Written Answers. - Blood Transfusion Service.

David Stanton

Question:

77 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will ensure that people can donate their own blood prior to elective surgery procedures that may require blood transfusions so that this blood can be used in such transfusions; the locations in the State where such procedures are now available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14546/00]

Autologous blood transfusion is the facility whereby a patient donates or predeposits blood for his or her own use prior to elective surgery. The Irish Blood Transfusion Service provides an autologous blood transfusion service on request subject to strict guidelines, fully informed consent and on the basis of referral from a hospital consultant. In addition to the IBTS, some hospitals provide their own autologous service. For example, in the Southern Health Board region this service is provided by Cork university hospital and through CUH to all other hospitals in the Southern Health Board area. The autologous service in the Southern Health Board must be requested by the surgeon in charge of the case and the procedure is carried out by appointment with the clinical haematology team at CUH.

I have been given to understand that autologous predeposit is appropriate only in a minority of elective procedures and that that there is lack of unanimous agreement among clinicians about its value. Decisions regarding the utilisation of autologous procedures in individual cases are a matter for the patient's own clinician. I would advise any patient who wishes to avail of this service to discuss the matter with her-his consultant who will provide the appropriate advice.

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