IBTS publishes 2010 Annual Report

Wednesday 14th September 2011

IBTS publishes 2010 Annual Report

152,637 blood donations collected in 2010

The IBTS today published its annual report for 2010.  IBTS Chairperson Katharine Bulbulia said that the financial times posed challenges for the IBTS.  “This has resulted in the requirement to do more with less resources and to strive for further savings.  The IBTS continues to meet this challenge in a professional and positive manner and the Board recognises this commitment and will support the Executive in making difficult decisions, while at the same time ensuring that the quality of the product is assured.”

IBTS Chief Executive Andy Kelly said that the drop of just over 5000 red cell units issued in 2010 over 2009 reflected not just a decrease in activity in the health service, but efforts to improve blood stock management, thereby reducing costs to the HSE.  “A joint programme between the IBTS and the HSE commenced this year to ensure optimal use of blood and platelets in the HSE.  This is being driven by the Medical & Scientific Director Dr William Murphy who is on secondment to the HSE to implement the programme.  The IBTS continues to look at all aspects of the business to make cost savings and a number of change programmes are concluding, while new ones are underway which will deliver improved services and further savings over the next few years.

Medical & Scientific Director Dr William Murphy said that the IBTS participated in a health technology assessment carried out by HIQA in 2010, looking at a new prion filter and that this process of engaging HIQA in a transfusion related health technology was a first for Ireland.

“Also, the involvement of the IBTS with the haemochromatosis community has continued successfully in Ireland, with several hundred people with haemachromatosis attending IBTS clinics for their treatment and regular care.  The enlargement of this commitment is under active consideration.”

Some statistics in brief

  • In 2010, 93,556 donors gave 152,637 units of blood – this is a drop of just under 2.4% on 2009.
  • The gender breakdown between those donors is 51,634 males and 41,922 females
  • 18.3% of donors are aged between 25 and 31
  • The next most common age group is 46 to 52 at 16.2%
  • In 2010, 60 patients were referred to the Bone Marrow Registry and 39 of those proceeded to transplant.  In 2006, the corresponding figures were 41 and 13.

 

ENDS