Donors' blood boils over NSW charges
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Donors who have called ABC radio in Sydney say they are angry, but will keep donating. (abc local radio: Carol Raabus)
The Red Cross Blood Service says it has been inundated with calls from donors angry at the New South Wales Government's plans to charge private hospitals for blood deliveries.
The Government announced moves to charge private hospitals as much as $8 million-a-year for blood products in last month's mini-Budget .
Gary Wolf from the Red Cross Blood Service says the decision has caused a backlash from donors.
"When the mini-Budget announcements were made in the press we were not aware they were coming," he said.
"A large number of donors rang that morning and reacted very angrily to that decision and declared then and there that they would not be continuing as blood donors."
When he spoke to the 702 ABC Sydney Breakfast program this morning, Mr Wolf would not be drawn on exact numbers, only saying the phone "rang off the hook."
Several callers to the program said they disagreed with the charge, but would continue to donate blood.
Federal concerns
The NSW Health Minister, John Della Bosca, is expected to discuss the issue with the Federal Health Minister, Nicola Roxon, at today's meeting of health ministers in Brisbane.
He has restated his position that it is only fair private and public hospitals pay for blood services.
"The taxpayer-funded public hospitals have been paying for blood services for four- and-a-half years," he said.
"It's led to a much more effective and efficient use of blood.
"We need to make sure that the private hospitals are subject to the same financial discipline and are not subsidised by our taxpayer-funded hospitals."
Nicola Roxon has written to Mr Della Bosca to raise concerns about the plan.
She has asked her department to remind the State Government there is a national agreement that blood services be provided for free.
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