Eligible donors in Cork asked to give blood as supply runs low 

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is urgently seeking an additional 2,000 blood donations over the next four weeks to support the national blood supply.

The urgent appeal comes as most blood groups, including O negative, A negative and B negative, have fallen to under three days of stock, as well as O positive, catering to nearly half of the population, which has fallen to three and a half days of stock.

While the service is seeking donations from anyone who is eligible, new donors of African heritage are being further encouraged to join the National blood donor panel to help diversify the donor base and get better blood type matches for patients.

Director of donor services and logistics at IBTS, Paul McKinney, said:

“We are asking regular donors who are texted for upcoming clinics over the coming weeks to make an extra effort to attend, especially in Dublin and Cork, where we have clinic availability every week.

“This is vital to address the increased demand from hospitals,” he added.

A pre-amber alert letter was issued to all hospitals on September 27 restricting issues of certain blood groups, asking hospitals to reduce their stock holding, to enable the IBTS to effectively manage the limited supply across the health service.

“If the IBTS has to issue an amber alert letter, which is the next escalation level of the blood shortage plan, it would have an immediate implication for hospitals and for elective surgical procedures requiring blood support,’’ added Mr McKinney.

The service has asked that any potential new donors to visit www.giveblood.ie and take the quick eligibility test, or to call them on 1800-731-137 to make an appointment.