The blood bank will be in the McDonald’s car park on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9.15am.

NSW Chief Health Officer Professor Jim Bishop has warned the Red Cross has only half the back-up supplies they need of Group O blood.

While it is important for hospitals to have access to all different types of blood, those in the Group O category are deemed the most critical because they can be used in the widest number of emergency cases as they are universally compatible with all other blood types.

Orange donor centre manager Gale Turnbull agreed that blood supplies were very low at the moment.

“Our stocks were depleted over winter and they haven’t picked up in the spring as we expected,” she said.

“Sometimes the flu prevents regulars from donating so we are calling on new donors and donors who haven’t been in for a while to come down.

“We like to have five days’ supply and at the moment we don’t,” she said.

Ms Turnbull said the school holidays, long weekends and events like the Bathurst 1000 all take their toll on blood supplies.

Healthy people aged between 16-70 are encouraged to give blood by making an appointment on 131495.

If anyone has concerns about their health or the implications of overseas travel, they can speak with someone about it on the hotline.

Ms Turnbull said 30 per cent of blood products were used in the treatment of cancer patients.

“If the need arises that blood must be available straight away,” she said.