Red-faced NHS agency chiefs have apologised to people who turned up to give blood at a widely-advertised event only for the doors to be closed.
The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) apologised for a mix-up at their frequent donor clinic at the Reid Hall, Forfar, on Tuesday.
Up to 500 Forfar donors can use the service over a typical three-day visit.
After cancelling an event in January due to the weather, a clerical error meant a booking form was not filled in and no keyholder was sent to let dozens of people give blood.
SNBTS deputy donor services manager Moira Eadie said the service was hugely apologetic for the inconvenience and Forfar people are among its “biggest supporters”.
She said: “It genuinely was an honest mistake and we are extremely sorry that people weren’t able to give blood.
“We immediately sent phone messages to our regular donors who we had numbers for and who hadn’t turned up yet.”
The service also left staff at the hall until 4pm to keep late-arriving visitors up to date with the situation and each visitor was given a personal apology.
Ms Eadie added: “Of course, we had to cancel the previous session, which is a great shame at that time of year.
“But you can’t account for what the snow’s going to do and we can’t blame it on the weather on this occasion.”
Adults require four months to fully restock red blood cells after a donation.
A spokeswoman for Angus Council said the service had indicated in January that an event was to be held this month. However, they said the necessary paperwork had not been presented.
“The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service had a booking at the Reid Hall in January, which they cancelled due to bad weather,” she said.
“They indicated that they would rebook the hall for a date in February. However, we did not receive a booking request form from them.
“And there was no further contact made by them for a February booking.”
Ms Eadie said it would cause too many administrative difficulties to reschedule the date.
“Because we have to wait 16 weeks between sessions, we haven’t been able to rearrange an earlier one for people who made the journey,” she added.
“However, there are sessions booked on May 27 and 28 and June 3 as previously advertised. We’d love to see everyone come along, as Forfar people have been among our biggest supporters.”
Visit the SNBTS at scotblood.co.uk for more information.