IBTS launches 2004 Annual Report

IBTS launches 2004 Annual Report

Stringent vCJD measures implemented

5% increase in donations in 2004 

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service launched its 2004 Annual Report today (Friday) at the National Blood Centre,Dublin.  Speaking at the launch, IBTS Chairperson Maura McGrath thanked donors for their continued support.  "Theirs is a unique generosity.  The contribution which Irish donors make to the health services in this country is incalculable.  I wish to acknowledge this generosity and thank them." 

Ms McGrath also referred to the apology issued earlier this year, to the donors and to their families for the delay on the part of the service in notifying the donors of their Hepatitis C test results following donations made between 1991 and 1993.  The apology was issued following the publication of the Kubanek Report.  "The Board is committed to ensuring that the recommendations in the report are fully and comprehensively complied with.  The Kubanek Report was a very important step in helping to bring closure to these most regrettable events of the past."

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 collected increased by 5% in 2004 over the previous year, despite the introduction of additional measures to reduce the risk of vCJD through blood transfusion. While these measures took approximately 5,000 donors out of the donor pool, we succeeded, through proactive management of a limited resource to meet hospital demands.

"Demand continues to increase and already in the first 7 months of this year, there has been a 2% increase in the amount of blood issued to hospitals.

 A nationwide appeal for donations in June resulted in a tremendous response from the public, which has helped us to meet this increasing demand.  It is our job to utilise that good will to ensure that the blood supply is maintained going forward."

National Medical Director, Doctor William Murphy added: "An adequate supply of safe and effective blood components will always be the prime goal of a blood transfusion service. In 2004, safety was once again dominated by concerns over variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (vCJD).

"Worries over the fact that blood transfusion could transmit this disease from one person to another led to further deferrals of loyal and committed blood donors, and in turn put extra pressure on the ability of the IBTS to provide adequate stocks to hospitals.

"This was done to break the chain of onward transmission of a disease with a long incubation period, in circumstances where there is no way of detecting disease during the incubation period, and where there is no effective method of eradicating it from the donated blood," said Dr Murphy.

ENDS

For further information contact: David Burbridge at   087/2316853