02/11/2001

NIBTS appeal for 0-Negative blood donors

The Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS) has issued an urgent appeal for O-Negative blood donors to come forward.

Exceptionally high demand by hospitals dealing with emergency cases has depleted the stock of O-Negative blood held in the province.

Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service spokesperson Paul McElkerney said: “Unfortunately only 9 per cent of the population in Northern Ireland has O-Negative blood and as this is a universal blood which can be given to anyone, demand is always high.

“We are also asking any O-Negative blood donors to attend donation sessions to which they have been called”.

The NIBTS have appealed for anyone else with O-Negative blood to contact them on FreeCall 0500 534 666 for details of where and when they can go to give blood. (SP)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 June 2022
Call For Blood Donations Following Decline In Donors
Health Minister Robin Swann has urged people to come forward for blood donations, backing a call from the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service. The Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service's (NIBTS) appeal coincides with World Blood Donor Day and follows a decline in the number of new people giving blood.
21 May 2024
Swann To 'Carefully Consider' New Infected Blood Inquiry Report
Health Minister Robin Swann has committed to "careful consideration" of the newly published final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry. The Inquiry was established by the UK government to examine the circumstances in which people treated by the national health service were given contaminated blood.
28 November 2002
Patients warned after blood donor's CJD diagnosis
There are concerns that a small number of haemophiliacs in Northern Ireland and Scotland may have received blood products from a donor who later was diagnosed with variant Creutzfeld-Jacob disease (vCJD). Health agencies in Scotland have written to patients warning them that they may have been given treatments derived from the donor's blood.
15 May 2024
Health Minister Introduces New Electronic Blood System
Health Minister, Robin Swann, has launched a new electronic blood production and tracking system which will help improve blood safety and quality.
16 June 2021
Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke Celebrate 75 Anniversary
Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Kate Nicholl has helped Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke celebrate its 75th anniversary. First established in 1946, the charity was formed by 16 visionary volunteers as the first NI branch of the National Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis.