Warning on winter blood stocks

There are fears blood supplies will run low

Blood stocks at Northern Ireland's hospitals could run dangerously low this winter, the Blood Transfusion Service has warned.

The service is launching an initiative on Monday aimed at increasing donations across the province.

During "Double Donation Week", donors are being asked to bring another person along with them to give blood.

The Blood Transfusion Service said it hoped more than 2,000 people would come forward this week to "build vital stocks and help keep people alive to enjoy Christmas and the New Year".

Most people are healthy enough to donate as long as you are aged between 17 and 60

Paul McElkerney

Service spokesman Paul McElkerney said: "It really is the perfect gift you can give someone - the gift of life.

"Hopefully many new donors will come forward. Most people are healthy enough to donate and as long as you are aged between 17 and 60, you can give blood for the first time."

The transfusion service said it was extremely difficult in the run up to Christmas to maintain a safe supply of blood for hospitals.

Blood stocks can fall for a variety of reasons, including increased usage and poor attendances at transfusion sessions because of bad weather.

The Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service, based at Belfast City Hospital, has the responsibility for collection, testing and issue of 70,000 blood donations each year.

The service operates almost 1,000 donation sessions locally at 250 different locations.

Anyone thinking of giving blood should contact the Blood Transfusion Service on their free help line - 0500 534666.