The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has announced it is to import a consignment of blood from the NHS Blood Donation Service in England.
It is the second time this year that supplies have been imported to address a current shortage.
The IBTS needs to collect 3,000 units of blood every week to maintain the national blood supply and stocks have dropped to a critical low in recent weeks.
It said 210 units of Rh Negative blood groups, O negative, A negative and B negative and 200 units of A positive are being collected in Manchester today.
Medical and Scientific Director Professor Stephen Field said the shortage related to increased demand and reduced supply due to a number of issues.
"The IBTS is again activating our contingency arrangement with the NHS Blood and Transplant to supplement blood stocks and avoid raising an alert under the Irish national blood shortage plan, which could have a serious impact on patient care," he said.
In addition to importing blood the IBTS is asking for public support to maintain the blood supply over the winter months.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
"Since moving to an appointment based system at the start of the pandemic donors have been incredible in their support. However, it has been increasingly difficult to keep the blood supply at the level we need to see us through Christmas and New Year. Storm Barra resulted in a number of clinics being cancelled and that cost us approximately 300 donations.
"In recent weeks appointment cancellations and the high level of Covid-19 circulating in the community has made it difficult to fill all of our donation appointments. This means that for the last number of weeks we have been issuing more blood to hospitals than we have been able to collect. This trend is being encountered by most blood services internationally.
"Stocks of the main Rh negative blood groups are under particular pressure, especially O negative which is considered the universal blood group and is always in demand.
"It has been a very tough couple of years for everyone but as hospital demand remains strong right up to Christmas, the demand for blood is as great as ever and we are urging donors to make an appointment to give blood. If you receive a text message from us, please respond to the number provided to make an appointment," he added.
Further information can be found on giveblood.ie.
