Blood transfusion safety ‘compromised’ by lack of investment

BLOOD transfusion safety could be compromised because of insufficient investment during the economic downturn, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service has warned.

“In the past there has not been enough investment in blood transfusion safety and the fear now is there will not be enough investment in the future,” medical and scientific director Dr William Murphy said yesterday, as its report for 2010 was published.

Chairwoman Katharine Bulbulia said the economic climate posed challenges for the blood bank and that the board would support the HSE in making difficult decisions.