Blood stocks `back to normal'

Blood stocks have now returned to normal, ending the shortages which led to the cancellation of a number of operations and the…

Blood stocks have now returned to normal, ending the shortages which led to the cancellation of a number of operations and the importation of blood from Holland.

A surge in donations since late last month means the national blood reserve is now "very healthy" according to the BTSB's national medical director, Dr William Murphy.

Dr Murphy said the BTSB's blood reserve is currently between 2,000 to 3,000 units or donations at any time, which works out as a four day supply. This is twice the BTSB's minimum target.