A WA parliamentary question addresses reported blood and blood product shortages at regional hospitals, with the Minister for Health responding that no shortages have been reported.

AnsweredQoN 484Legislative Council
Asked
11 May 2023
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

HOSPITALS — BLOOD AND BLOOD PRODUCTS —
REGIONS
484. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the media reports of
shortages of blood and blood products at regional hospitals.
(1) Is the
minister aware of any shortages at public hospitals; and, if so, which
hospitals have been impacted?
(2) Is the
minister aware of any supply issues relating to the provision of blood and
blood products from the Australian Red Cross?
(3) Has the
Australian Red Cross raised any concerns with government in relation to the
ordering and wastage of blood products?
(4) What is the
government doing to ensure that blood products are available at public health
facilities, as required by patients?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) No. The
Department of Health has not received any communication from the National Blood
Authority, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood or local hospitals alerting of blood
shortages in any public hospital.
(2)–(3) No.
(4) The
Department of Health works closely with the National Blood Authority and
Australian Red Cross Lifeblood to monitor the supply of blood products in Western
Australia. In addition, the National Blood Authority and Australian Red Cross
Lifeblood work with jurisdictions to determine supply forecasts to ensure that
healthcare providers have a reliable access to blood products.

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