Statement by the Board of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service
Statement by theBoard of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service
TheBoard of the IBTS today (Tuesday) welcomed the announcement by the Government that the development of a new €17m facility for the IBTS in Cork is to go ahead. This decision recognises the important role theCork centre plays in the provision of the national transfusion service. It is supported by its extremely loyal regional donor base.
“The redevelopment of the Cork Centre has been a top priority for the IBTS Boardfor many years and we have worked diligently with the Minister and the Department of Health and Children in the groundwork which led to this funding and development decision” said the Chairperson, Maura McGrath. She continued, “We are delighted that the Government’s ongoing commitment to quality, safety and excellence in patient care is reflected in this decision to redevelop the Cork Centre. On behalf of myself and the Board I want to thank the Minister, the Government and all those associated with bringing this project to fruition.”
“This is a considerable and crucially important investment decision by Government. This €17m is very welcome,” said Andrew Kelly Chief Executive. “At a time of significant pressure on the public finances this investment shows the commitment of Government to provide the best facilities for the Blood Transfusion Service”.
“This decision will provide a facility better equipped to maintain the highest standards in products and services to patients in the Munster region – and this is essentially what IBTS is all about” said Dr Willy Murphy, Medical and Scientific Director.
The IBTS has been seeking exchequer funding for the redevelopment of the Cork Centre since 1997. It was a recommendation of the Finlay Tribunal that the premises in Cork would be either refurbished or that new premises should be provided. The Irish Medicines Boardhas always been of the view that a purpose-built facility was the only long-term solution to full compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice. In addition, this allows us to move forward and to complete the implementation of the recommendations of the Kubanek Report (2005).
The new centre will provide for collection, processing and distribution in the Munster region. Donation testing will be transferred to the National Blood Centre in Dublinand cross matching services will be transferred to specific hospitals in Cork, in line with HSE policy.
The priority now for the IBTS is to immediately proceed with this development and commence the process of appointing a design team to progress the new Centre.
ENDS
Note to editors:
The IBTS is responsible for collecting, processing, testing and distributing blood and blood components in Ireland. The IBTS is regulated by the Irish Medicines Board.
28.5% of all donations collected nationally come from theMunster region. The IBTS will collect approximately 152,000 donations in 2008, approximately 43,353 will be from Munster. The IBTS needs to collect 3,000 donations a week every week.
