Extra donor clinics amid fears over blood levels

THE Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is hoping that enough people will attend its special donor clinics tomorrow to rule out the risk of hospitals cancelling surgery next week.

The blood bank is concerned that hospitals will be forced to cancel non-emergency operations as a result of stocks running to dangerously low levels because of the Siberian weather conditions.

IBTS operations director Paddy Bowler said the blood supply was currently at between five and six days as a result of a 20% fall in donations earlier in the week.

Mr Bowler said the adverse weather conditions were set to continue into next week and, unless there was a significant increase in donations, there was a possibility that hospitals might be advised to cancel elective surgery.

“The IBTS hopes to collect about 800 units at the six clinics on Sunday. We would like to thank donors for their response so far in making a special effort to attend clinics in spite of the difficulties,” he said yesterday.

The severe weather conditions meant many collection venues were hard to reach.

Mr Bowler said they are anxious that people continue to donate next week even if weather conditions prove difficult, and with this in mind, a number of clinics have been moved to more accessible locations. The six additional blood donation clinics tomorrow are:

Cork:

- The Barrs Club, Neenan Park, Togher — noon to 3.30pm.

Dublin:

- Stillorgan Blood Donation Clinic — 11am to 3pm.

- D’Olier Street Blood Donation Clinic. Make an appointment from 11am to 3pm at 1850 731137 or drop in between 3pm and 6pm.

Limerick:

- St John’s Pavilion, Musgrave Street — 1pm to 4pm.

Dundalk:

- Crowne Plaza Hotel — 11.30am to 3pm.

Carlow:

- Presentation College, Askea — noon to 3.30pm.

- www.giveblood.ie