Hospitals told to use blood supply 'conservatively'

Despite strong blood collections over the summer, the IBTS has said there is a shortage in blood types O-, A-, B-, and A+ relative to the surge seen in hospitals recently.

Hospitals have been asked to use blood “conservatively” after an alert has been issued over blood shortages.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) has asked for donors to “urgently” step forward to cover shortages caused by a 5% increase in demand above pre-pandemic levels.