Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Irish Blood Transfusion Service.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2005

Tuesday, 21 June 2005

Ceisteanna (147, 148)

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

90 Mr. Allen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she is satisfied that the Irish Blood Transfusion Service has sufficient resources to ensure an adequate and safe supply of blood products to hospitals here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20911/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

175 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she intends to take to ensure a steady supply of blood in view of the recent forced cancellation of certain procedures due to a shortage of blood; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20859/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 175 together.

I am satisfied that the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, IBTS, has adequate financial resources at its disposal.

The recent blood shortage was not related to funding but was due to increasing demands on the blood supply and more stringent controls and testing. Since 2001 the IBTS has introduced a series of measures to minimise the threat posed by vCJD. These measures include the exclusion from donating of people who have spent one year or more in the UK between 1980 and 1996 and anybody who has received a transfusion either in Ireland or abroad from 1 January 1980. This has resulted in a loss of 20% of existing donors.

In the first five months of 2005, 4,000 fewer donors attended blood clinics throughout Ireland as compared to 2004. During this period the IBTS undertook intensive local advertising, through print media and local radio, text messaging donors, telephoning donors and sending additional notification of clinic locations. Despite this heightened level of activity, maintaining the blood supply proved difficult. Accordingly, on 9 June, the IBTS was forced to request hospitals to defer elective surgery requiring blood transfusions to allow the blood stocks build up to an appropriate level. An intensive advertising campaign was made for blood donations. This is the first time that such an appeal has had to be made since 2002.

Thankfully, the response to the appeal has been excellent and stocks have now been restored to acceptable levels. The IBTS informed hospitals on 13 June that blood supplies would resume as normal on 14 June. Stock levels for the week beginning 20 June remain at an acceptable level and the IBTS will continue its intensive advertising campaign in the coming months to ensure that this position continues.

Barr
Roinn