NOTE: By submitting this form and registering with us, you are providing us with permission to store your personal data and the record of your registration. In addition, registration with the Medical Independent includes granting consent for the delivery of that additional professional content and targeted ads, and the cookies required to deliver same. View our Privacy Policy and Cookie Notice for further details.

You can opt out at anytime by visiting our cookie policy page. In line with the provisions of the GDPR, the provision of your personal data is a requirement necessary to enter into a contract. We must advise you at the point of collecting your personal data that it is a required field, and the consequences of not providing the personal data is that we cannot provide this service to you.


Don't have an account? Subscribe

Blood usage up by 2.1 per cent in 2022

By Reporter - 07th Sep 2023

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) has today published its 2022 annual report.  

IBTS Chief Executive, Ms Orla O’Brien, said blood usage continued to increase in 2022, reflecting a rise in hospital activity as the impact of Covid-19 on the health service receded.

“Recruitment of new donors stalled during the pandemic and significant effort is being put in to recruit an additional 15,000 new donors in 2023,” she said.  “One of the more significant achievements in 2022 was the introduction of the Individual Donor Risk Assessment (IDRA) in November, a change that brings more inclusive blood donation policies for our donors.”

She continued: “In December, the Department of Health announced the IBTS plan for the redevelopment of the Munster Regional Transfusion Centre on the grounds of St Finbarr’s Hospital in Cork and we look forward to progressing this project with the Department and our stakeholders over the coming years.”

Dr Tor Hervig, IBTS Medical and Scientific Director, outlined that work to reintroduce Irish plasma for transfusion continued during 2022. “In agreement with the plasma users, it has been decided that plasma from Irish donors will be made available for clinical use, including fractionation to produce plasma-derived medicines.”

He added that in November the IBTS held its first international conference, ‘BloodHIT’, and research activities in partnership with healthcare and higher education institutions continue to grow.

Leave a Reply

Latest
Latest Issue
The Medical Independent 26th September 2023

You need to be logged in to access this content. Please login or sign up using the links below.

Most Read