Denis Naughten
Question:37 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on the adequacy and safety of the blood supply. [9899/01]
Other Questions. - Safety of Blood Supply.
There is sufficient blood available to fully meet the needs of hospitals throughout the country. This is in large measure due to the commitment and support of donors who continue to donate at blood clinics throughout the country. With effect from last Sunday, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, the IBTS, has introduced additional measures to reduce the possible risk of transmission of variant CJD through blood transfusion. The IBTS has deferred donors who have spent a cumulative total of five years or more in the UK between 1980 and 1996. This precautionary measure, which I discussed with the IBTS and the CJD advisory group, is expected to result in a reduction of 5% in donors eligible to donate amounting to a loss of approximately 7,500 donations.
To make up for this shortfall in donations, the IBTS is implementing a broadly based programme to increase donations which include the following measures: a major programme to recruit new donors; to encourage lapsed donors to donate and occasional donors to increase their donations; and to improve the management of the donor programme, better media campaigns and extension of clinic opening hours. A new mobile donor team is operating in Carlow to cover the south east and a new team commenced in Ardee in March to cover the north east.
Hospitals also have an important role in ensuring the appropriate use of blood and implementing effective blood stock management programmes which reduce to a minimum the level of discards of blood. I am establishing a national blood strategy implementation group to address the impact of donor deferral decisions on the blood supply, improve blood stock management throughout the health system and improve transfusion practice and blood usage. The group will comprise medical, scientific and management staff from hospitals who have been nominated by the chief executive officers of health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority. Representatives of the IBTS and of my Department will also be appointed to the group which will be established before Easter.
The deferral of donors who resided in the UK reflects the IBTS policy of taking appropriate steps to reduce any possible risk to the blood supply that might emerge. The donor selection and donation testing programmes at the IBTS comply with EU and Council of Europe Guidelines, are as comprehensive as any in Europe and conform to existing international standards. The IBTS is also subject to inspection by the Irish Medicines Board which is the independent regulatory auth ority for ensuring the safety and quality of blood and blood components.
I record my appreciation of the support and personal efforts of donors who are no longer in a position to continue to donate because of the deferral decision. Their generosity over the years has benefited patients in our hospitals.
The Minister will know that the new deferral policy is aimed at reducing the risk exposure of transmitting variant CJD by blood by up to 90%. That is the term used: "up to 90%". What does that mean? Is it 50%, 60% or 70%? That is the information being given by way of briefing in the press release issued on 14 March 2001. Apparently the Minister does not know this as he is shaking his head but I have the press release here and can give him the details.
The same press release states that there are 1.2 million people in Ireland eligible to give blood but have not done so. What novel steps can be taken to encourage those people to give blood, particularly as 45 operations had to be cancelled recently because of the absence of blood for transfusions?
Before this decision was taken I met the IBTS and had a very thorough briefing from that organisation about the new measures that were to be taken. Some of those measures have been taken in recent months to increase donor supply. These include more donor friendly facilities in terms of the timing of various clinics and the establishment of new clinics. Some parts of the country do not have a track record in terms of donating blood and it is important to provide them with facilities to increase the percentage of blood donated. For example, the new donor clinic in D'Olier Street has already resulted in a very significant increase in blood supply in the Dublin area and the amount of blood donated. The new clinics in Carlow and Ardee in the north east will also increase supply. The board is looking at fixed sites on the south and north side of Dublin, perhaps attached to shopping centres, to facilitate a greater increase in the number of donors. All existing and lapsed donors have received correspondence from the BTSB inviting them to donate more blood.
Perhaps the Minister will ask the Department to e-mail all Members about the importance of giving blood. I am not good at doing so, but my wife has given 27 or 28 pints. The media are often critical of politicians. They face a test next Thursday when the BTSB will visit Leinster House to take blood. I will take note of those who participate, including members of the media because they are always taking blood out of us.
There is much bad blood there.
I hope the Minister and the Department will lead the campaign.
The board is due to visit Leinster House on Thursday week.
On Holy Thursday.
A symbolic day.
I hope there is a massive response. Although I am afraid to give blood, I will give a pint. I hope the Minister will be in attendance because I may need his assistance.
Asking members of the media to give blood presumes they have a heart. Will the Minister confirm that 45 operations have been cancelled recently because of the need for blood? How have things gone so wrong, given that there is a shortage of blood, which is forecast to continue? Some 1.2 million out of a population of approximately 3.7 million have not given blood. Why did we not see this arising?
There has been a problem for some time. Approximately 38 elective operations were cancelled in the Western Health Board area. At the same time there was a significant discard rate. The management of blood stocks is the key. With better management of existing blood stocks in hospitals and across the hospital system there would not have been a need for those cancellations. While we need to expand the donor base, it is necessary to be careful about how this is done. There are higher risks among younger donors coming on stream.
There is a need to be careful at all times.
The BTSB's preferred option is to take blood from lapsed donors and older people. I compliment Deputy Ring on making overtures to me and the BTSB to create a facility in Leinster House for the giving of blood about which I was in contact with the board. The Deputy will have to donate blood. I will not be too worried about the consequences if it keeps him quiet for a few days. While the media keep an eye on the Deputy, he keeps an eye on them.