Australian Red Cross Blood Service (Blood Service) activities relating to support for patients injured in the Victorian bushfires.
We sincerely thank everyone who has contacted us wanting to donate blood.
Currently we have sufficient inventory of all components and fractionated plasma products, and are not actively calling for further immediate donations.
However, we anticipate an ongoing need for transfusion support over the next weeks to months as the injured require ongoing support, and in particular, surgery and other care for burns injuries.
We appreciate your support in encouraging staff and the public to contact 13 14 95 or to register online, at donateblood.com.au to make appointments to donate over the coming days and weeks.
In Victoria, we experienced disruptions yesterday to the telecommunication system as a result of overwhelming public generosity and desire to donate.
The Blood Service communicated with hospitals and laboratories in Victoria to advise them of fluctuating impact on inbound and outbound calls, with a reminder of the established Blood Service emergency contact numbers.
Additional call centre support has been provided from other states to handle donor enquiries.
We understand that many hospitals and laboratories around the country are also being contacted by staff and the general public wishing to donate blood.
In order to keep the Blood Service inventory and distribution telephone numbers free for urgent supply calls, we thank you for directing these blood donor enquiries to 13 14 95 or donateblood.com.au.
New process for managing orders for blood and blood products
