The NHS has issued a “critical” appeal for blood donors across England as four bank holidays in six weeks threaten to run stocks dangerously low.
Almost 3,000 donor appointments among 50,000 nationally are still to be filled at the Birmingham Donor Centre on New Street.
Run of bank holidays
With two bank holidays and half-term in May coming hot on the heels of Easter, NHS Blood and Transplant is urging the public to book and fill appointments over the next six weeks.
England remains on ‘amber’ alert for low stocks of O negative and O positive blood, so it is critical that donors step forward now to keep blood supply to hospitals moving throughout May and into the summer, the NHS said.
“The need for blood never stops”
People with O negative, O positive, A positive and RO blood types are particularly needed over the coming weeks. There remains an ongoing need for more donors of Black heritage to help patients with sickle cell who need ethnically matched blood.
“The need for blood never stops,” said Gerry Gogarty, director of blood supply at NHS Blood and Transplant.
“We are extremely grateful to everyone who has donated so far this year, but we must act now to avoid falling behind.
“To avoid facing a ‘spring slump’ in donations, we urgently need donors to book an appointment today – and help us fill appointments over the weeks ahead.
“If you can’t find an appointment straight away, please book further ahead or keep checking back to help fill last minute availability or cancellations. Each donation has the power to save up to three lives.”
5,000 donations a day needed to keep NHS going
Hospitals across England need over 5,000 blood donations every day to ensure they have the blood they need to treat patients for wide variety of reasons – from traumatic injuries or accidents, cancer treatments, sickle cell and childbirth. Blood has a shelf life of 35 days, and platelets only seven days, so it is vital stocks are constantly replenished.
Across the country there are still thousands of appointments available to fill, with greatest availability at our donor centres situated in major towns and cities, including Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Cambridge, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Plymouth and Sheffield.
Donating a unit of blood takes just an hour and each donation can save up to three lives. Book a blood donation appointment today at www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23 to find your nearest session.
