CHANGING demand for blood products means the Perth Donor Mobile will no longer return to Mandurah.
The service, taken off road last year for critical maintenance, is only capable of collecting whole blood donations which include a red cell component.
Acting State Donor Services Manager Kit Parker explained that the declining demand for red cells had been driven by advancements to the clinical use of blood, which had been reducing the need for red blood transfusions.
“While we still need red cell components, we’ve been able to meet patient needs due to this decline, even while the mobile service has been off the road,” she said.
“At the same time, we’re seeing exponential growth in the use of plasma-based products, so we need to ensure our collection services are helping us meet the right patient needs.”
Ms Parker said employees who supplied the mobile service would be required at the new Perth Donor Centre, which will open on May 10.
“At the new centre we can focus on increasing much-needed plasma donations which will help to meet Australia’s growing demand for it,” she said.
“We are incredibly grateful to those donors who have supported the mobile service, and we understand that this decision will impact some people’s ability to donate blood.
“However, we hope they understand that changes in demand are beyond our control and this decision
is in the best interest of the one in three Australians who will need blood or a blood product in their
Plasma is the yellow-coloured portion of blood that is used to make 18 different life-saving products.
The focus on improving plasma collections is consistent with objectives in the Blood Service’s five-year strategic plan, At The Leading Edge.
Important changes to the nation’s blood collection network are helping to create a more stable blood supply for the one in three Australians who will need donated blood or blood products in their lifetime.
Australia’s blood inventory now remains sufficient for more than 300 days a year, compared to just 150 days in 2010-11.
