The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is concerned that blood supplies will be difficult between now and the Christmas/New Year period, and is urging donors to make a special effort to give blood during this time.

The IBTS needs 15,000 donations over the coming weeks to maintain the blood supply.

To deal with this they are running additional Saturday and Sunday clinics before Christmas, between Christmas and New Year and after New Year's Day to make sure there is blood available for patients over this period.

"Traditionally holiday periods and especially the lead into the Christmas/New Year festivities present significant difficulties in sustaining the blood supply. On any given day 200 patients receive transfusions in Irish hospitals", said IBTS operations director Paddy Bowler.

"A steady attendance of 3,000 donors per week is needed for the five weeks from December 8th to January 9th. As Christmas day and New Years Day both fall on a Thursday, which is our best attendance/collection day this will have a serious impact on our supply."

"To deal with this we are running additional Saturday and Sunday clinics before Christmas, between Christmas and New Year and after New Year's Day to make sure there is blood available for patients over this period," he added.

Clinic details can be found on www.giveblood.ie.