High demand for blood pressures supply

DEMAND for blood is increasing as the number of older people continues to rise.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service Blood Bank yesterday reported a 4% increase in demand in the first six months of this year. The increase in demand is putting pressure on the blood supply but acting chief executive officer, Andrew Kelly, took comfort from last year’s 8% increase in donations over the previous year. It was first year since 1996 that donation levels had increased over the previous year.

Speaking at the publication of its 2002 annual report, Mr Kelly said the increase in donations was a manifestation of the renewed confidence of the public in the blood transfusion service.