Locarno Blood Service to Close on June 24: Where to Donate Now
From June 24, 2026, the Locarno Blood Service will cease operations. The decision, made after four years of reflection, is due to a decrease in revenue from the sale of blood components. Partial alternative: every Tuesday of the month at the Centro La Torre in Losone.
Contesto
The Blood Transfusion Service of Locarno will close its doors on June 24, 2026. The decision, reached after four years of internal evaluations, has been officially communicated by the hospital director. The main reason is the significant decrease in revenue from the sale of blood components outside the Canton Ticino. According to the information, the income is no longer sufficient to cover the management costs of the structure, forcing the entity to reduce its activities. The choice was not easy, as highlighted by the Ticinese Red Cross: It is a choice made after four years of reflection and comparisons, said a spokesperson for the organization. The Blood Transfusion Service of Locarno was a reference point for donors in the region, especially for those living in the Locarno area and its surroundings. The news has already sparked discontent among the local population, accustomed to a capillary and accessible service. ### Gradual but inevitable transition The closure will not be immediate but will follow a programmed dismissal process. Starting from June 24, 2026, the Blood Transfusion Service of Locarno will definitively cease its activities. Until that date, donors will continue to be received according to the usual hours, but without new admissions to external donation procedures or expansion projects. For Ticinese patients who need transfusions, there will be no immediate interruptions. The Canton has already identified alternative solutions, albeit partial. At Losone, at the Centro La Torre, it will be possible to go on a Tuesday of each month for donations. However, this solution covers only a fraction of the historical demand of the Locarnese, leaving many users without a nearby reference point. ### Economic and health context The Blood Transfusion Service o...
Dettagli operativi
The closure of the Locarno Blood Transfusion Service forces residents of the Locarno area and cross-border workers employed in the region to reorganize their habits. The partial solution offered by the La Torre Centre in Losone — which will welcome donors one Tuesday per month — is a compromise, but it does not resolve the issue for those who require frequent or emergency donations. ### Before vs after: what changes for cross-border workers Until 24 June 2026, cross-border workers employed in Locarno, Ascona, Minusio, or Brissago could donate blood at the city’s Transfusion Service, often during their lunch break or after work. The facility was easily accessible, with flexible hours and streamlined procedures for non-residents. After the closure, cross-border workers will have two main options: 1. Visit the La Torre Centre in Losone: open one Tuesday per month, but with limited hours and none of the same accessibility as the former service. For those working in Locarno or nearby areas, the trip may be manageable, but for those living or working in more distant locations, the solution becomes less practical. 2. Travel to other centres: donors can turn to the Bellinzona Transfusion Service, the Lugano Blood Transfusion Centre, or facilities in Lombardy such as Varese Hospital. However, these trips involve additional costs (transport, potential work permits) and longer travel times. ### Impact on emergency medical care 🚨 The greatest risk concerns emergency transfusions. The Locarno Transfusion Service was a key point for blood donations in cases of accidents or urgent surgeries. With its closure, pressure will shift to other Ticino centres, which may not be able to immediately absorb the increased demand. The director of Locarno Hospital has assured that emergency...
Punti chiave
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Punti chiave
[{"q":"Can I still donate blood in Locarno after June 24, 2026?","a":"No. After June 24, 2026, the Transfusion Service in Locarno will close permanently. The only partial alternative is the La Torre Center in Losone, which is open one Tuesday per month."},{"q":"What documents do I need to donate at the La Torre Center in Losone as a cross-border worker?","a":"You will need to present a valid ID (Swiss ID card, passport, or residence permit), the completed self-certification health form, and if you are a cross-border worker, your G or L work permit."},{"q":"How can I book a donation at the La Torre Center in Losone?","a":"Booking is mandatory and will be possible through the Ticino Red Cross website or by calling the number [not yet specified]. Dates will be communicated at least 30 days in advance."},{"q":"What happens if I need a transfusion after the closure of the Locarno Transfusion Service?","a":"The Canton of Ticino has activated emergency plans to ensure service continuity. In case of urgent need, contact 144 (Ticino emergency services) or go to the Transfusion Services in Bellinzona or Lugano."},{"q":"Can I donate blood in Lombardy instead of Ticino?","a":"Yes, but you will need to go to a Lombardy hospital such as Varese or Como. Bring your Italian ID, Swiss work permit, and if required, a medical certificate confirming your residence in Italy. Donating in Italy is free of charge."}]
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I still donate blood in Locarno after June 24, 2026?
- No. After June 24, 2026, the Transfusion Service in Locarno will close permanently. The only partial alternative is the La Torre Center in Losone, which is open one Tuesday per month.
- What documents do I need to donate at the La Torre Center in Losone as a cross-border worker?
- You will need to present a valid ID (Swiss ID card, passport, or residence permit), the completed self-certification health form, and if you are a cross-border worker, your G or L work permit.
- How can I book a donation at the La Torre Center in Losone?
- Booking is mandatory and will be possible through the Ticino Red Cross website or by calling the number [not yet specified]. Dates will be communicated at least 30 days in advance.
- What happens if I need a transfusion after the closure of the Locarno Transfusion Service?
- The Canton of Ticino has activated emergency plans to ensure service continuity. In case of urgent need, contact 144 (Ticino emergency services) or go to the Transfusion Services in Bellinzona or Lugano.
- Can I donate blood in Lombardy instead of Ticino?
- Yes, but you will need to go to a Lombardy hospital such as Varese or Como. Bring your Italian ID, Swiss work permit, and if required, a medical certificate confirming your residence in Italy. Donating in Italy is free of charge.