Urgent call for Limerick people to help with critically low blood stock supplies
Storm Eoghan caused many blood donation clinics to be cancelled across the country
THE IRISH National Bloodstock situation remains critically low and the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) are encouraging Limerick people to attend two upcoming donation clinics as a result.
Following the bank holiday weekend, the national supply of bloodstock stands at an average of only five days supply with three days of O negative. Storm Eoghan caused many blood donation clinics to be cancelled nationally.
This critical blood stock situation has the potential to impact on surgeries requiring blood product support. This week’s Limerick Blood Donation Clinics still have a very large number of donation slots available.
New donors are welcome at all clinics. Please phone 1800 222 111 for appointment.
Details of the blood donation clinics in Limerick are as follows: Caherdavin Greenhills Hotel on Wednesday, February 5, 4.20pm – 7.40pm and Pallasgreen Community Centre on Thursday, February 5, 4.50pm – 8.10pm.
Currently Irish hospitals are on a pre-amber alert to reduce their blood stock holding. This enables the IBTS to manage the limited blood supply available more effectively across the health service.
If the IBTS has to issue an ‘amber alert letter’ which is the next escalation level of the blood shortage plan, it would have an immediate implication for hospitals and for elective surgical procedures requiring blood support.