The South Australian Opposition is calling on the SA Labor government to release an impact statement into the closure of the SA Blood Service’s testing and processing capabilities on the state’s health system.

 

“The loss of 60 highly skilled employees from the SA Blood Service is likely to have a significant effect on the local health system and medical workforce,” Shadow Minister for Health Martin Hamilton-Smith said.

 

“The impact of the cut will mean blood donated in South Australia will now have to be delivered to Melbourne for processing and testing before being returned to Adelaide hospitals and health services for life-saving procedures.

 

“Such a move would create a potential risk of further gaps in the supply of blood to metropolitan and regional hospitals in South Australia for life-saving procedures.

 

“Just last week, it was the Red Cross confirmed that SA’s stocks of red cell packs were at a 12 month low of only 1.7 days supply.

 

“Despite these developments, Health Minister John Hill has stayed quiet on the issue, seemingly happy to let the cuts pass.

 

“Employees at the SA Blood Service are particularly concerned that the scientific expertise will be lost to the state, and Adelaide relegated to the status of a regional outpost of Melbourne.

 

“The SA Government provides an annual grant to the National Blood Authority, last year totalling $29.4 million, and therefore has a vested interest in the operation of the SA Blood Service.

 

“The Minister needs to assure South Australians that their health system will not be undermined by the centralization of blood supply and the loss of 60 jobs,” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.