International team advises against closing virus testing centre

Virus testing centres may be closed, according to reports that the Irish Blood Transfusion Service wishes to centralise its screening centre.

However, the IBTS have been advised by an international review team to keep both the Cork and the Dublin testing offices open.

Both offices screen blood donations.

An international review team have advised against having just one proposed central testing unit near St. James' hospital in Dublin.

It is understood that there is now conflict between the IBTS and the international blood experts who compiled the report.