2.5 National Blood Authority's roles and responsibilities
The National Blood Authority Act 2003 and National Blood Agreement outline the role of the National Blood Authority. This role includes:
- coordinating national demand and supply planning on blood and blood-related products and purchasing those products on behalf of all Australian governments
- negotiating and managing contracts with suppliers of blood and blood-related products to enable the development of sufficient and value-for-money supply and an agreed single national pricing schedule
- implementing an efficient demand-driven system, based on evidence and good clinical practice so that the blood supply system is highly responsive to needs
- working in a collaborative manner with all governments and other relevant parties to ensure that Australia's blood supply is adequate, safe, secure and affordable
- national contingency planning
- promoting adherence to national safety and quality standards
- developing and implementing national strategies to encourage better use of blood and blood-related products.
The execution and timing of specific activities to advance these roles are a result of the combination of the Minister's Statement of Expectation, the ministerially approved National Blood Authority Corporate Plan, the funding provided by governments, the endorsement of priorities by the Jurisdictional Blood Committee and decisions made by the Australian Health Ministers' Conference.
The National Blood Authority provides secretariat assistance to the Jurisdictional Blood Committee and in conjunction with the jurisdictions, plays a critical role in coordinating an annual National Product List and National Supply Plan and Budget for approval by health ministers. As part of its role in managing the supply of blood and blood-related products, the National Blood Authority is responsible for:
- collecting data on products issued and reporting to jurisdictions against the approved Supply Plan
- making improvements to the national supply planning process
- monitoring the balance between supply and demand throughout the year
- intensively managing products in short supply.