Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Feb 2001

Vol. 531 No. 4

Written Answers. - Blood Supply.

Seán Ryan

Question:

41 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps being taken to ensure an adequate supply of blood, in view of reports that operations in some hospitals have had to be cancelled because of shortage of supplies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5971/01]

Enda Kenny

Question:

53 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on recent worrying reports of shortages of blood for use in elective surgery. [5495/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 53 together.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is conducting a major campaign through the media at national and local levels to advise of blood supply difficulties and to encourage more donors to come forward. Additional blood donor clinics have also been provided to facilitate donors. I am happy to report that donors have responded generously to this campaign and currently there are adequate supplies available to hospitals to meet both emergency and elective procedures. In response to another recent parliamentary question on this subject, my Department asked the regional chief executive officer of the Eastern Regional Health Authority, the chief executive officers of the health boards and the chief executive officers of voluntary hospitals outside the eastern region to investigate the position in relation to their hospitals in respect of the period 25 January to 8 February 2001. The position is that only two health boards advised my Department that operations were postponed due to shortage of blood. Two elective operations were cancelled in the North Western Health Board. In the Western Health Board region, 38 elective operations were cancelled in Galway Regional Hospital, and five in Mayo General Hospital. No operations have been cancelled in the Midland, Mid-Western, North-Eastern, South Eastern and Southern Health Board regions. Full details are not yet available in respect of the ERHA, and I will forward the information to the Deputy as soon as it comes to hand.

Adequate supplies have been maintained at all times for emergency procedures. The IBTS maintains regular contact with health boards and voluntary hospitals in relation to blood supplies and keep them informed of difficulties in meeting their full requirements for blood for elective surgery. The IBTS is available to hospitals to discuss strategies on the effective management of blood stocks especially when their full requirements cannot be met which occurs from time to time.