More blood donors are needed on an ongoing basis to ensure essential hospital treatments can continue, according to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS).
In its annual report published today, the IBTS said although there was a 5 per cent increase in donations last year, maintaining blood stocks this year has proved challenging due to more rigorous donor screening, including measures to prevent the transmission of vCJD.
Hospitals had to postpone elective surgery for a three-day period in June to ensure that blood products were available for emergencies.
"In order to ensure that we have sufficient quantities of the highest quality blood components we need to maintain our present donor numbers and attract new donors," IBTS chairwoman Maura J McGrath said today.
The report also revealed discussions between the IBTS and the Department of Health continue regarding funding for a new centre in Cork, and that the board has recently entered talks with University College Cork on a joint programme of research and development in transfusion medicine.
Just 3 per cent of the Republic's population are blood donors; 3,000 units of blood are required every week.