No. 30

$3 MILLION FOR BLOOD AND PLASMA PRODUCTS

The 2007–08 Budget provides increased funding of $3 million over four years to ensure Canberrans continue to have access to high quality and safe blood products.

Health Minister Katy Gallagher said continued access to safe blood products is vital to the operation of the ACT Health system.

“Whole blood and the separated, concentrated components of blood are used to treat patients suffering from blood loss, clotting disorders and for the treatment of other conditions,” Ms Gallagher said.

“As the demand for surgery and other treatments increases we need to take steps to address the associated increase in the demand for blood and plasma products.

“This budget provides extra funding to the National Blood Authority who manages contracts with suppliers of blood products on behalf of the ACT Government.

The National Blood Authority coordinates national demand and supply planning of blood and blood products and purchases those products on behalf of all Australian governments and works with all governments and other responsible parties to ensure that Australia's blood supply is safe, secure, adequate and affordable. 

Ms Gallagher said this would include funds to cover expected increases in plasma product use and higher quality treatment of blood products including leucodepletion and bacterial contamination testing.