Vol. 543 No. 5
300 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received an explanation from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service giving the reasons for it shelving plans to curb blood donations from donors who lived in the UK for a year or more due to the fear that it would lead to an immediate and acute blood shortage; and the status of the concern. [27502/01]
Since 31 March 2001, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service – IBTS – has deferred all donors who have spent five years or more in the UK between 1980 and 1996. This deferral has resulted in the loss of 5% of donors. Prior to the introduction of this deferral and at my suggestion the IBTS advised the CJD advisory group of its plans to improve blood collection to address the shortfall in donations. The group was reassured as to its concerns about the balance of risk involved and the need to ensure an adequate blood supply in the interest of patient safety.
The IBTS is assessing the introduction of a further deferral which will concern donors who have spent one year or more in the UK between 1980 and 1996. Over the summer period the blood supply was not particularly robust. It was necessary to issue several appeals during that time. While supplies to hospitals were maintained, there is not at present sufficient flexibility in the system to allow a further deferral to take place without a very serious risk of a shortage of blood and the consequences of such a shortage. Accordingly, the IBTS has advised my Department that it is of the opinion that it could not proceed at this point in time with a further deferral without the risk of serious shortages and the consequential risks for patient care and safety. For this reason the IBTS propose to continue with the current deferral of people who had resided in the UK for five years or more between 1980 and 1996 inclusive. The board will review the situation in February 2002 including the viability of a further deferral.
