Blood donor crisis sparks call to cancel operations

HOSPITALS have been asked to cancel all pre-planned surgery for the next four to five days due to a severe decline in blood donations.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) issued the directive after its donations fell below the minimum of 3,000 units required every week.

“Despite intensive efforts by the IBTS to offset the decline in donations, we have been left with no alternative but to notify the hospitals that we are unable to meet their demands for blood at this time,” said IBTS chief executive Andrew Kelly.