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.
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