7 December 2022
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, today announced the Irish Blood Transfusion Service’s (IBTS) plan for redevelopment of the Munster Regional Transfusion Centre (MRTC) on the grounds of St Finbarr’s Hospital in Cork.
Following a comprehensive appraisals process, the Board of the IBTS has decided to progress a new build development of the MRTC which will retain all existing services.
At present, the MRTC based in St Finbarr’s Hospital in Cork provides a number of blood-related services, including laboratory diagnostics and therapeutic apheresis.
Minister Donnelly said: “The redevelopment of the Munster Regional Transfusion Centre will enhance the excellent blood services currently being provided in the region.
“I would like to thank the IBTS, the staff and stakeholders of the MRTC, the Cork/Kerry Community Healthcare Office and South/Southwest hospital group for their work to date in developing this plan.”
The IBTS will now proceed with the retention of professional services to develop a finalised design and more detailed costings for future consideration.
The Minister added “The excellent work of the IBTS would not be possible without the blood and platelet donations that thousands of people make selflessly each year. Please consider donating blood today.”
Information on how to donate blood is available on the IBTS website: www.giveblood.ie
