IBTS launches 2005 Annual Report
Slight increase in donations in 2005 - EU Blood Directive comes into effect IBTS begins issuing 7 day platelets
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service launched its 2005 Annual Report today (Tuesday) at the National Blood Centre, Dublin. Speaking at the launch, IBTS Chairperson Maura McGrath thanked donors for their continued support. Being a blood donor is very special. The contribution which Irish donors make to the health services in this country is incalculable. I wish to acknowledge this generosity and thank them.
The IBTS also published its first Strategic Plan during 2005. This was a significant development for the organisation as it sets out the pathway which the IBTS wishes to take in the development of our services and to ensure that we are dealing with the appropriate issues and making the right choices with regard to resource allocation, said Ms McGrath.
IBTS Chief Executive Andrew Kelly said that the priority of the IBTS was the continuous supply of safe blood and blood products to patients in Irish hospitals. The number of donations increased by 1.4% in 2005 over the previous year, and maintaining blood stocks during the year proved a difficult challenge, resulting in the first severe shortage of supply since January 2002. The amount of blood issued in 2005 was up by 1.9%.
A nationwide appeal for donations in June resulted in a tremendous response from the public. This event reminded us that maintaining an adequate and consistent blood supply requires constant vigilance. Demand continues to increase and already in the first 6 months of this year, there has been a 1.2% increase in the amount of red cells and an 8.9% increase in the amount of platelets issued to hospitals.
National Medical Director, Doctor William Murphy added: New national legislation governing blood transfusion in Ireland came into force in 2005 and the IBTS now operates under a licence from the Irish Medicines Board, which covers all aspects of operations. An adequate supply of safe and effective blood components will always be the prime goal of a blood transfusion service. In 2005, we developed and introduced a new technique to extend the shelf life of platelets from 5 to 7 days and extended bacterial testing to all platelets prepared by the IBTS. Safety was once again dominated by concerns over variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD).
During 2005 we tested a new filter that is designed to reduce the potential for transmitting vCJD by blood transfusion and began the first clinical trials of its use in humans. While that trial has been discontinued, we hope to be able to start another trial by the end of the year said Dr Murphy.
ENDS
For further information contact: Mirenda O'Donovan
