BLOOD DONORS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 195, 19 July 1937, Page 6

BLOOD DONORS

A NATIONAL SERVICE? REPORT TO HOSPITAL BOARD. Proposals for the application of the AVellington Voluntary Blood lranslusion fe-rvi. e on a national scale, ana tlie organisation of the service to applv to Palmerston North, were l’J a ®®“ before the monthly meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board today in a special report frain the Aleaical Superintendent (Air J. H. Noitli). The report was as follows:--“The /reorganisation of the blood transfusion service of the lalmerston Nortli Hospital has become necessary during the present year uue to the sllbrtage of donors available at piesent. As board members know, we have a blood donors’ list. Donors are paid £2 2s for each transfusion given. ]t has been difficult to get sufficient donors on the list to serve the iequirements of the Hospital. A cent advertisement produced no reSP “During the past year 32 transfusions were given by these donois, £ho being paid by the board in fees, in addition, a large number of transfusions were given from relatu cs. “I recently attended a Conference in Wellington called by the AA ellington Voluntary Blood Transfusion berviee. This meeting was attended by representatives of hospitals Lorn all over New Zealand and was called to try to organise a national blood transfusion service on a voluntary basis. The AVellington service has proved eminently satisfactory. It is run on a purely voluntary basis and lias a large membership. The secretary of the St John Ambulance in AA’elbngton acts as "secretary to the service, and applications for blood donors are made to him direct. They have been able to keep the number of donors on their list at a high level. . “It is proposed to organise such a service in each centre. A National Blood Transfusion Council was appointed with Dr. P. Lynch of AA ellington as chairman. I am anxious to see such a service started in Palmerston North and would like the board members’ approval of this new arrangement. The board, I think, should make a small contribution to the national organisation and to the local committee to cover organisation expenses. The amount would be considerably less than is at present paid for blood donors. A r OLUNTAR\ r SERVICE.

“The national organisation proposes to call a- general meeting in Palmerston North later in the month, and I think a satisfactory voluntary service can be arranged,” Air North added. “Such a voluntary service has many advantages. Blood donors are keen and interested in the service, and by having a secretary who is able to keep in touch with donors a satisfactory list can be kept up to date. The St. John Ambulance Association are to be asked to assist in the organisation of this service. This cooperation lias been approved by the commandery of the St. John Ambulance Association.

“I must acknowledge the excellent service given by a number of blood donors under the old system. Alany have given transfusions at considerable inconvenience to themselves, and their service has been much appreciated. I hope the board "'ill gi'® their support to the organisation of the new service.” After a brief discussion, the hoard left the matter in the hands of tlie chairman (Air J. A. Nash), the managing secretary (Air A. J. Phillipps), anti the medical superintendent, with authority to act.