The Victoria Hospital recently held a training workshop for operatives of the blood bank as part of the institution’s team building initiative.

The Victoria Hospital Blood Bank is a small unit responsible for obtaining blood donors, processing blood, and ensuring that blood products are readily available for patients.

Victoria Hospital Executive Director Jeanette Hughes said the workshop was an opportunity for the staff to collectively develop a plan for improvement.

“The whole idea of the workshop is for the team to come together, build themselves, collectively take responsibility for what’s happening in the blood bank and also develop an action plan to improve the blood bank’s activities, processes and procedures. So it is not only for capacity building, but also it enables them to review what has been done and set up an action plan for the next year."

Mrs. Hughes also made mention of the demand for blood due to violent crime and road accidents.

“With all the trauma taking place and treating the victims of many of those accidents and shootings, there are times that we need to transfuse persons. The department [has] to ensure that we have sufficient blood so that it could be given to the patients. It’s very demanding on us."

Veronica Lee, Head of the blood bank urges citizens of the country to donate blood.

“Everyone that is healthy between the ages of 17 - 70 should become a blood donor. When you come into the blood bank we will perform an assessment to tell you whether or not you can be a blood donor, and we would like you to make a commitment. Be of service to your country, be of service to your fellowmen, and donate."

The blood bank operates from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. The Mobile Blood Bank frequently visits communities and business places across the island.

The training workshop was held on Jan. 17.