Doctors Urge Blood Donors to Come Forward
The Australian Medical Association has joined the call for new or lapsed blood donors to help boost national blood supplies.
AMA Federal President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said blood supplies were expected to drop by more than five per cent when a new health policy came into effect from 21 December, aimed at protecting Australia's blood supplies from variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.
"We fully support the search underway by the Australian Red Cross to find lapsed donors who have not donated for the past two years or people who may not have given blood before," Dr Phelps said.
"Traditionally, blood supplies are in need of a pre-Christmas boost because of high demand during the holidays, but this year the need will be much greater.
"I urge you to encourage friends, family and workmates to become regular donors so that the Australian Red Cross can continue to provide quality blood and blood products to help save lives," she said.
Dr Phelps said the decision by Australia's health ministers to ban blood donations from anyone who had resided in the UK for six months or more between 1980 and 1996 had been made after assessing all related risks.
She said donors could contact the Australian Red Cross Blood Service on 13 14 95 for the location of their nearest donation centre.