• Contents
• Letter of transmittal
• User guide
• Part 1: Overview
  • 1.1 NBA role and responsibilities
  • 1.2 Blood products and how they are used
  • 1.3 The Australian blood supply chain
  • 1.4 Blood sector governance
  • 1.5 Blood sector funding
• Part 2: Highlights of 2010–2011
• Part 3: Performance
• Part 4: Horizon scanning
• Part 5: Corporate governance
• Part 6: Financial management and accountability
• Appendices

PART 1: OVERVIEW

1.1 NBA ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The National Blood Authority (NBA) is a statutory agency within the Australian Government Health and Ageing portfolio that manages and coordinates arrangements for the supply of blood and blood products and services on behalf of the Australian Government and the state and territory governments.

It was established by the National Blood Authority Act 2003 following the signing of the National Blood Agreement by all state and territory health ministers in November 2002.

Our vision is saving and improving Australian lives through a world-class blood supply.

Our role is to ensure the adequate, safe, secure and affordable supply of blood and blood products in accordance with the National Blood Agreement (see Appendix 1).

The NBA coordinates national blood supply and demand planning; purchases blood and blood products on behalf of all Australian governments; and develops and implements national strategies to encourage better use of blood and blood products.

The NBA:

• works with jurisdictions to determine the clinical requirements for blood and blood products to meet national clinical needs and develop an annual supply plan and budget
• negotiates and manages national contracts with suppliers of blood and blood products to obtain the products needed
• assesses blood supply risk and engages in contingency planning for risks arising in the sector and impacting on the sector
• supports the work of the jurisdictions to improve the way blood products are used—including developing and facilitating strategies and programs that will improve the safety, quality and effectiveness of blood usage, particularly in the areas of national standards, guidelines and data provision
• provides expert advice to support government policy development, including identification of emerging risks, developments, trends and new opportunities
• manages the evaluation of proposals for blood sector improvements, including proposals for new products, technologies and system change
• provides secretariat support to the Jurisdictional Blood Committee (JBC).