Ongoing shortages see Irish Blood Transfusion Service forced to import blood from the UK

At present, the IBTS needs to collect about 3,000 units per week to maintain national supply. File picture: iStock

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) has been forced to import blood from the UK due to a shortage in supply.

The IBTS said it is collecting 115 units of Rh negative blood groups O negative, A negative and B negative from the UK’s NHS Blood and Transplant service in Manchester later today.