Desperately ill patients in need of a lifesaving blood transfusion don’t go away, just because we’re in a pandemic.
That’s the stark reminder from the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS), whose key message to potential blood donors in Lanarkshire is clear: making the journey to a community or donor centre session to give blood is, under tough new lockdown restrictions, regarded as essential travel.
Edward Ford, SNBTS head of territory for Glasgow and the West of Scotland, said: “New year is traditionally one the hardest times of year to secure blood donations, but January 2021 is going to be particularly tough.
“We want to reinforce that travelling to give blood is regarded as essential travel by the Scottish Government.
“It doesn’t matter what tier or region you live in, or where the donation session is held – you’re not only allowed to travel to donate, but strongly encouraged to do so.
“Right now, there are desperately ill patients across the country who need donors to give blood.
“Hospitals are still full of patients needing blood transfusions – cancer patients, mothers who have had traumatic births, children who have been in accidents, long term patients with blood disorders.
“These patients have not disappeared because there is a pandemic, and unfortunately the Covid-19 vaccine alone won’t solve their problems. What they need is people to give blood.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a regular donor, you’ve never given blood before, or you’ve only donated once or twice in the past. If you’re fit and healthy and aged 17 to 65, you’re pretty likely to be eligible.”
All blood donation sessions in Scotland – in community venues like Rutherglen Town Hall or Cambuslang Institute or at the Glasgow Blood Donor Centre in Nelson Mandela Place – are now run by appointment.
Those donating should go along alone, or with a household member who is also donating, to ensure that the team can keep to social distancing regulations.
You should arrive no more than five minutes prior to your appointment to help reduce queues.
Currently, you must not donate if you fall into one of the following categories: You have Covid-19; you are in self-isolation with symptoms of possible Covid-19; you are well but are in self-isolation because other household members have symptoms of possible Covid-19.
If you have shown symptoms of Covid-19 or tested positive for Covid-19, you must not donate until at least 28 days after final symptoms have disappeared. If you were self-isolating because other household members were sick, or following travel, but you remained symptom-free, you must not donate until 14 days after your first day of self-isolation.
Visit www.scotblood.co.uk/news/covid-19-advice-for-donors/ for more.
If you have previously tested positive for Covid-19, but have felt better and symptom-free for at least 28 days, you may be eligible to donate ‘convalescent plasma’ to treat others who are still ill with Covid-19.
For more go to at www.scotblood.co.uk/news/find-out-more-about-convalescent-plasma-donation/
The service will be at the Town Hall on March 18, 13:30 - 15:30 and 17:00 - 19:00, and on March 31 at Cambuslang Institute from 13:30 - 15:30 and 17:00 - 19:00.
