Locarno Blood Service to Close on June 24: Where to Donate Now

Context

TL;DR

• Locarno Blood Transfusion Service closes June 24, 2026.
• Closure due to decreased revenue from blood sales.
• Alternative donation site at Losone, limited availability.
• Cross-border workers face travel challenges for donations.

Key facts

• Data chiusura: 24 giugno 2026
• Motivo chiusura: Riduzione ricavi da vendita componenti sanguigni
• Sede alternativa: Centro La Torre, Losone, un martedì al mese
• Donatori cross-border: Circa 30% dei donatori regolari
• Impatto emergenze: Rischio ritardi nelle trasfusioni d'urgenza
• Documentazione Italia: Carta d'identità e modulo sanitario richiesti
• Costi aggiuntivi: Trasporto e permessi di lavoro potrebbero essere necessari
• Campagne sensibilizzazione: Croce Rossa Ticinese per promuovere donazioni

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 of Locarno was not only a health facility, but also an economic activity. The sale of blood components to hospitals outside the Canton Ticino represented a significant revenue source. However, in recent years, the prices of the market for blood components have collapsed, drastically reducing the profit margins. The hospital director explained that, without a change in trend, the structure would no longer be sustainable.

The decision fits into a broader context of rationalization of the cantonal health expenditure. The Canton Ticino, like many other Swiss cantons, is facing pressures to contain costs without compromising the quality of services. In this context, the closure of structures no longer economically self-sufficient becomes an unavoidable path.

Reactions and concerns

The news has caught many regular donors by surprise, who now have to rethink their habits. I have been donating for twenty years in Locarno, said a 58-year-old resident of Minusio. Now I will have to move to Losone, but the service is not comparable. The voluntary associations, such as the Ticinese Red Cross, are organizing awareness campaigns to ensure that the transition occurs without excessive discomfort.

The Blood Transfusion Service of Locarno was also a point of aggregation for the local community. Its closure leaves a void not only in the health sector, but also in the social sphere, especially for those who considered blood donation a gesture of active citizenship.

Operational details

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 plans are in place to ensure service continuity, but emphasized that “accessibility is crucial.” Without a local presence, even group donations could face delays.

The role of cross-border workers: a still essential contribution

Cross-border workers represent a significant portion of the active population in the Locarno area. According to as-yet unspecified data, around 30% of regular donors at the Locarno Transfusion Service were cross-border workers. Their participation is vital, both for the quantity of blood collected and for the diversity of blood types, which are often difficult to source.

With the closure of the facility, many may be discouraged from continuing to donate, especially if forced to travel longer distances. This risk has been highlighted by the Red Cross, which has launched a campaign to raise awareness among cross-border workers about the ongoing need for blood donations.

Alternatives and practical solutions

For those unable to reach Losone or other Ticino facilities, donating in Lombardy is an option. However, this solution comes with complications:

• Documentation: In Italy, blood donation requires an ID and the completion of a health form. For cross-border workers, presenting a Swiss work permit may also be necessary.
• Compatibility: Not all Lombard centres accept foreign donors without residency. It is advisable to contact the relevant hospital in advance.
• Costs: Donating in Italy is free, but travel or permits may incur significant expenses.

The Ticino Red Cross is exploring the possibility of organizing shuttle buses for donors traveling to Losone, but no concrete details on schedules or bookings are available yet.

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Key points

From 24 June 2026, those wishing to donate blood in the Locarno area will have to contact the La Torre Center in Losone, the only partial alternative facility active in the area. Here is the step-by-step procedure to adapt to change without inconvenience.

Step 1: Check your eligibility Before you go to the La Torre Center, make sure you are eligible to donate. The main requirements are: - Age between 18 and 69 years (for donors on the first donation, the limit is 60 years). - Body weight greater than 50 kg. - Good general health. - Not having taken medication in the days prior to the donation.

You can check all the requirements on the Croce Rossa ticinese website.

Step 2: Book your donation The La Torre Center in Losone will welcome donors one Tuesday a month. To avoid queues or inconvenience, reservations are required through the Ticino Red Cross website or by calling the number [not yet specified]. Reservations will open one week before the scheduled date.

Please note: the dates will not be fixed but communicated at least 30 days in advance. We recommend that you subscribe to the Ticino Red Cross newsletter to receive real-time updates.

Step 3: Documents Needed When donating, you will need to submit:

• A valid form of identification (Swiss identity card, passport or residence permit).
• The health self-certification form completed in advance (downloadable on the Red Cross website).
• If you are a cross-border commuter, the G or L work permit, which certifies your residence in Italy but employment in Switzerland.

Step 4: Getting around and accessibility The La Torre Center is located in Losone, a few kilometers from Locarno. For those traveling by car, free parking spaces are available. For those using public transport, line 1 of the Locarno bus stops right in front of the center.

If you live far from Losone, consider organizing yourself with colleagues or friends to share the trip. The Red Cross is considering the activation of dedicated shuttles, but at the moment there is no confirmation.

Step 5: What to do if you can't travel to Losone If the distance or times do not allow you to donate to Losone, you can contact: - Bellinzona Transfusion Service: open every weekday. However, the structure is further away and may not be convenient for those who work in Locarno. - Lugano Blood Transfusion Center: offers more flexible hours, but requires a journey of about 40 minutes by car. - Lombardy hospitals: such as the Varese or Como Hospital, which accept cross-border donors. In this case, bring with you: - Italian identity document and Swiss work permit. - Medical certificate attesting to your residence in Italy (if required).

Step 6: Follow the post-donation procedure After donating, you will receive:

• A donation certificate, useful for any future medical certificates.
• Advice on post-donation nutrition and hydration.
• The invitation to return to donate, if possible, in the coming months.

Remember: donating blood is a voluntary and free gesture. Every bag counts, especially in emergency situations.

Useful contacts

• Ticino Red Cross: sito ufficiale | Phone [not yet specified]
• La Torre di Losone Center: Address and hours will be communicated by May 2026.
• Health emergencies: In case of urgent need, contact 144 (Ticino health emergency).

A call to action

The closure of the Locarno Transfusion Service is a hard blow for the community, but not a definitive defeat. Cross-border donors can make a difference by continuing to donate, even if they are forced to move. Every bag of blood collected in Losone, Bellinzona or Lugano helps save lives.

If you are a cross-border commuter and want to make your contribution, book your donation now at the La Torre Center in Losone. Health has no borders, and neither does solidarity.

Discover the offerte di lavoro in Ticino updated daily: over 4,000 positions from Swiss companies that hire cross-border commuters.

Source: laregione.ch