Donors sought as blood reserves down to four or five days

Blood supplies may not be maintained over St Patrick’s Day and Easter, the transfusion service has warned.

Hospitals have been asked to conserve the use of some blood groups as reserves are down to four or five days.

The problem is due to an increase in the number of donors turned away. New EU donation limits on haemoglobin levels mean the service is rejecting a quarter of potential donors.