S.L. 528.12 Art. 3Functions and responsibilities of the Department.      Cap. 327. 3

(1) It shall be the function of the Department in general to develop and to operate the Centre for the reception, collection, processing, storage and distribution of blood, tissues and cells.

(2) In particular, the functions and duties of the Department shall include:

(a) to provide blood banking services, including labile blood products, stem cell collection for cellular therapies, including autologous stem cell transplantation, human leukocyte antigen typing, bone marrow donor registry, and tissue banking services including bone, cornea and amnion banking services and any other tissues and cells for which there is clinical demand;

(b) to participate in research, innovation, training and education activities through partnerships with appropriate bodies;

(c) to advise the Government on issues related to the core functions of the Centre;

(d) to promote research, teaching and training in the fields relating to its functions and responsibilities;

(e) to cooperate with local and international organisations on matters relating to its functions and responsibilities;

(f) to advise upon innovative models of service provision and delivery following consultation, where necessary, with relevant stakeholders;

(g) to anticipate the needs of professional staff, and other human resources, and to collaborate with third parties, including the University of Malta established in accordance with article 72 of the Education Act, the Malta College of Arts,

Science and Technology established and incorporated in accordance with article 86 of the Education Act and any other institutions, public and private, in order to ensure the training and development of healthcare professionals and non-healthcare personnel, according to their needs in matters relating to the functions and responsibilities of the Department;

(h) to carry out such other function or functions as the Minister may from time to time determine and direct; and

(i) to implement any other matter required for the fulfilment of its mission, and for the execution of duties pertaining to the State, as established in the Act.