Walk-in donor clinics set up as blood supplies run critically low

According to the IBTS, it has just two days' supply of A positive and three days' supply of O positive, O negative, and B negative, while there is a five-day supply of A negative. Picture: Jason Clarke

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) has made an urgent appeal to donors to attend special walk-in clinics as it needs an additional 5,000 donations in just eight weeks.

Since the start of June, the IBTS has issued more blood than has been collected. It issued a 'pre-amber' alert letter to all hospitals last week. If supply levels reach 'amber alert' levels, it will see an immediate impact on hospitals and elective surgical procedures.