Drop in blood donations as clinics adapt to Covid

BLOOD donations are down more than 9% compared with the same time last year, figures from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service show. As of the end of June, there have been 6,100 fewer donations made this year compared to last. However, the IBTS has said that despite the challenges posed by Covid-19, it is maintaining a steady supply of blood. A spokeswoman for the IBTS said it has begun focusing on its regular donors in order to reduce times in clinics. ‘While we have recently started taking new donors through the appointment system, we have been concentrating on asking regular donors to attend to reduce the time people spend on clinic,’ she said. In order to maintain proper Covid-19 safety precautions, the IBTS has installed an appointment system for all its clinics.

In addition, social-distancing measures have been implemented in all its clinics, both fixed and mobile, and all staff are to wear full PPE.

When a donor calls up for an appointment, they are asked a series of questions on whether they have been diagnosed with Covid-19 or in close contact with someone who has.

The symptoms of Covid-19 may not present in some people, and individuals can pass on the virus while being asymptomatic.

The IBTS spokeswoman said current evidence suggests that Covid-19 is not transmissible by blood transfusion, but that they are not taking chances.

‘We ask all donors to contact us if they are unwell, or have contracted Covid, and we withdraw the product from use,’ she said.

With hospitals returning to operation and more procedures scheduled, there were concerns that there may be additional demand on the IBTS for blood.

The spokeswoman said they are in constant communication with the HSE and the Department of Health, sharing usage information, and the National Transfusion Advisory Group is also working to monitor demand and supply in Irish hospitals.

‘We can put on additional Sunday clinics and extend clinic hours if required,’ she said, adding that the IBTS has the capacity to import blood from the UK if it needs to, but that it hasn’t had to do so to date.