Vol. 459 No. 6
81 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Health his views on whether blood transfusion committees should be established in each hospital to draw up transfusion guidelines and audit their implementation in view of the hepatitis C controversy and the increased awareness of transfusion risks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18171/95]
, Limerick East): I fully support the establishment of blood transfusion committees in hospitals. The Blood Transfusion Service Board is willing to assist these committees in preparing guidelines for blood transfusion practices and is prepared to offer advice on an individual basis to the chairpersons of such committees should they desire to avail of it. The Expert Group Report on the Blood Transfusion Service Board, published in April 1995, made the following recommendation “it is crucial for the Board's medical staff to develop closer day to day links with the haematology departments of Irish hospitals”. Following this recommendation, two consultants from the Blood Transfusion Service Board established formal links with a major teaching hospital and it is hoped that formal links for a third consultant in Cork will be established in the near future. The consultants at the Blood Transfusion Service Board have put together a series of talks on blood transfusion practices and are considering presenting these talks at venues around the country.
