Blood and Blood Products - Provision and Funding in Victoria

As a recommendation of the Review of the Australian Blood Banking and Plasma Sector, prepared for the Commonwealth Government by a panel chaired by Sir Ninian Stephen in June 2001, the National Blood Authority (NBA) commenced operations on 1 July 2003.

The NBA is an independent statutory agency established under the National Blood Authority Act 2003. The operations of the NBA are set out in the National Blood Agreement, which has been agreed to and signed by all Australian governments.

The NBA works with key stakeholders in the blood sector to provide national purchasing, production and supply planning services that deliver sufficient blood and blood products of the highest quality to all Australian jurisdictions. Funding of the blood sector is provided on a cost shared basis between the Commonwealth (63%) and States and Territories (37% collectively).

DHS Circulars Relating to Blood and Blood Products

Traceability of Transfused Blood and Blood Products - November 2008
This circular provides guidelines for the retention of patient records in the hospital and the records maintained by hospital blood banks, laboratories and pharmacies. This Circular Replaces 4/1995.

Hospital/Health Service Transfusion Committees - April 2002
This circular details requirements for Hospital/Health Service Transfusion Committees to promote transfusion best practice through the enhancement of transfusion awareness and education; facilitation of policy development and the monitoring and review of the use of blood and blood products, as well as any adverse incidents involving these products.

Criteria for the Use of Intravenous Immunoglobulin –March 2008
On 3 March 2008, Hospital Circular Number 08/2008 “Criteria for the Clinical Use of Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) in Australia” was issued to all public and private hospitals in Victoria. The document introduced the new Criteria for the Clinical Use of Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) in Australia” (the Criteria) which have been designed to assist clinicians and transfusion medicine professionals in identifying the conditions and circumstances for which the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) is appropriate and funded under the National Blood Agreement.

Information on the arrangements for supply of IVIg can be found at the NBA website as follows:

Factsheets – Contractual Arrangements for the Supply of Imported Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) including Jurisdictional Direct Orders (JDO) in Australia from 1 December 2007.

Related Victorian Government Initiatives

Blood Matters – better safer transfusion program is a Victorian Government program for improving the quality of hospital transfusion care to patients.

Plasma Fraction Review

Australia has reviewed its plasma fractionation arrangements to comply with its commitment under the Australia- United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA).Victoria has made a submission to the Plasma Fractionation Review (PFR) Committee, which handed down its findings in January 2007. All 10 recommendations of the PFR were accepted by Ministers and are currently being progressed in conjunction with key stakeholders.

Self Sufficiency

The Australian Health Ministers’ Conference (AHMC) has determined that a clear statement is needed on the governments’ current position on self-sufficiency in the blood sector. Self-sufficiency means Australia striving to source blood components and plasma from within Australia to meet appropriate clinical demand. As a member of AHMC, through the Minister for Health, Victoria fully supports this statement.

AHMC Policy Statement on National Self-Sufficiency in the Supply of Blood and Blood Products

Contact: Ashley Eccles on tel: 9096 1316 or Anne Johnston on tel:9096 0212