The IBTS is urgently asking for regular donors with the blood group O-, A-, B- and A+ to make an appointment to donate. Despite strong blood collections over the summer months demand for these particular blood groups from Hospitals has been particularly high (5% above pre-COVID-19 levels) over a sustained period which has resulted in the stock levels being lower than we would like.
The IBTS is urgently asking healthy donors to respond and make an appointment when they receive a text from us, said Paul McKinney, Operations Director.
A pre-amber alert has been issued to all hospitals in line with the national blood shortage plan, which requests the conservative use of blood from these groups.
We are asking our regular donors to book an appointment when they receive a text from us, especially the O-, A-, B- and A+ donors. Extra clinics have been arranged for Sunday the 9th of October. Further clinic information can also be found on www.giveblood.ie, he added.
We would also like to thank donors for their incredible support in what has been a very challenging year for everybody and to continue that support into 2023.
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