Canadian Blood Services makes changes to improve efficiency and consistency of collections

Continues to balance demand for blood with needs of patients

Ottawa, ON – Today, Canadian Blood Services announced several changes to the operation of Canada’s blood system to improve the efficiency and consistency of collections. Changes include closing three permanent clinics, replacing a permanent clinic with a mobile clinic, discontinuing mobile blood donor clinics in 16 communities, adjusting clinic schedules across the country, and concluding the bloodmobile program.

“These clinic changes will ensure we are able to continue to balance blood demand with the needs of Canadian patients,” said Ian Mumford, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Canadian Blood Services. “There will be no impact on patient care; hospitals and clinics will continue to receive ample blood supply, as they always have.”

The decision to close clinics was based on a number of important factors, including the overall volume of units collected, labour and transportation costs, and the distance to the nearest production site.

“In recent years, we have seen a slight decline in the demand for blood products that has been caused by more efficient approaches to blood use and conservation as well as a variety of medical advances and international trends,” continued Mr. Mumford. “We have adjusted our forecasted collection targets to align with this decline in demand and consequently, have needed to modify our clinic schedules.”

In recent years, the Bloodmobile program has seen a steady decline in blood donations and has experienced costly operational issues that have made the program inefficient.

“We understand that these decisions may be disappointing and will have an impact on our dedicated employees, volunteers and donors,” added Mr. Mumford. “On behalf of Canadian Blood Services, I would like to thank our supporters for their continued dedication to the national blood system.”