In 1995, a government report recommended the foundation of a separate national structure, and the ARCBS was formed in 1996, encompassing the old state and territory blood donation/transfusion services. In 1945, the Red Cross took over blood and serum preparation units established by the Australian Army. Also in 1941, the National Emergency Blood Transfusion Service (later the National Blood Transfusion Committee) was formed to coordinate the state groups. Victoria's Blood Transfusion Service was founded in 1929, and by 1941 each state had its own Organ Transfusion Service. The Red Cross's Australian blood services were initially managed by state-level organisations. 4 Mad cow disease blood donation ban removal.
