Growing Concern Over Falling Blood Stocks

6 November 2000
Media release

NZBS Appeals For Blood - Growing Concern Over Falling Blood Stocks

The New Zealand Blood Service is issuing an appeal for blood donors. National supplies have been falling since Labour weekend, and blood usage has been at unusually high levels.

“For several weeks we’ve been using up reserves to meet increasing clinical demand. We’re now at minimum acceptable levels for Type O and A, and all types are needed. We’ve got to reverse this decline and quickly begin boosting inventories if NZBS is to be confident of meeting the current demand,” said Dr Peter Flanagan, NZBS National Medical Director.

“Supplies are only just meeting clinical needs. We need more donors to begin coming in today to enable us to effectively manage the current situation. We are genuinely concerned about inventory levels of Type O and A, the two most common groups,” he added.

New donors, lapsed donors and active donors are needed from today. NZBS will work with organisations to arrange a visit from a Bloodmobile or to have a Blood Service shuttle bus transport donors to and from NZBS centres.

People wanting to donate should ring 0800 GIVEBLOOD (0800 448-325) or visit their local donor centre.

ends

Released for the New Zealand Blood Service by Bill Moore, PRaxis Public Relations.
To arrange interviews, please ring Bill on 025-769-654 or 09 373-5068.

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