Sir, - Readers and blood donors must wonder how and why in recent years there is a recurring annual blood shortage in Ireland. In 1998 we had to import.
The BTSB has had new committed management and more resources for the past three years, yet the register of donors, even with healthy working people in their thousands returning to live here, is not sufficient to supply our patients throughout the year. Soon the new Dublin centre (cost £30 million) will be open and Cork too has been improved, but until the donor register is sufficient, all the excellent laboratories and equipment will not solve this problem.
Major changes are needed. The clinics must open on Saturdays and Sundays as the working population, the major target group, must have the convenience of choice of times at weekends. I know Dublin donors who have to "take" a half day to donate within the Monday/Thursday opening period. It takes up to an hour to travel, an hour or more giving blood and an hour back into the traffic. This, of course, cuts down the number of potential donors available.
Quite often in Pelican House a donor queue may wait from 30 to 60 minutes. Some donors cannot wait. Will they bother to stay on the register? Is there a follow-up system by BTSB to show its continuing interest in disappointed donors?
Previously, I appealed for the provision of convenient dedicated areas for donors in all major hospitals in all major cities and towns on Saturdays and Sundays, which could target visitors as potential donors. The basic relationship between patients and visiting family and friends brings the importance of blood supply into immediate focus for both parties.
You cannot contract any disease or virus by giving blood. But how many donors have dropped out since 1996, say, because of the anxiety/fear factor? Criminals using syringes of infected blood, growing public awareness of HIV and Hepatitis C have all dealt a major blow to the previously enthusiastic "no-problem" years for donors. How is the BTSB tackling this factor?
Blood supply is short because donor numbers are insufficient. The advertising promotions, welcome as they are, have not enough impact to convince potential donors. Major changes must be considered. - Yours, etc.,
R.G. Walsh, Barnhill Park, Dalkey, Co Dublin.