An urgent appeal has been issued across Manchester and England
An urgent call for blood donors has been made(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
The NHS has issued a ‘critical’ Manchester alert and warned ‘we must act now’ in an urgent appeal for blood donations across the region.
Dwindling supplies of donated blood could soon push supply to ‘critical levels’, worsened by the recent bank holidays, according to NHS Blood and Transplant.
Over 4,400 appointments are still available to fill in at the two Manchester donor centres over the next six weeks, sparking fresh fears among dipping ‘spring slump’ supply. O negative, O positive, A positive and Ro blood types in particularly short supply, the NHS said.
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It comes as a further appeal was issued to blood and platelet donors across England, in order to help fill over 50,000 appointments available nationally.
An urgent appeal has been issued for blood donors across a number of blood groups(Image: PA)
NHS warns of a looming shortfall in blood stocks, with four Bank Holidays in just six weeks threatening to impact supplies. Over 4,400 of the appointments still to be filled are at the two donor centres in Manchester.
The NHS says the two Bank Holidays and half term holiday which fall together in May – in the space of six weeks – further threaten to impact supplies. This is because blood donations drop over bank holiday weekends, and with Easter falling late this year, four bank holidays in just six weeks have placed ‘increased pressure on blood stocks.’
Currently, England remains in Amber alert for low stocks of O negative and O positive blood – meaning the drive will aim to seal new donors to come forward and secure enough supply to hospitals going into summer. Donating a unit of blood takes an hour and can save up to three lives.
Donors are being asked to make an appointment to donate if they don’t already have one. People who want to start donating are also encouraged to make their first donation.
People with O negative, O positive, A positive and RO blood types are particularly needed. There also remains an ongoing need for more donors of Black heritage to help patients with sickle cell who need ethnically matched blood.
There are growing fears about dwindling stock and low uptake(Image: PA)
“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 straightaway, 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.”
Hospitals across England need over 5,000 blood donations every day to ensure they have the blood they need to treat patients for the likes of traumatic injuries or accidents, cancer treatments, sickle cell and childbirth. However, blood has a shelf life of 35 days, and platelets only seven days, meaning it is vital stocks are regularly replenished.
Book a blood donation appointment today at www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23 to find your nearest session.
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