The UK is just days away from running out of some blood reserves as stocks plummet to critical levels.
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), the body responsible for donations, warned it could be forced to trigger a red alert – the highest warning available – as hospital trusts have less than three days’ worth of O-negative blood left.
Donors have been urged to book an appointment to donate at their nearest centre to help the service avert a crisis.
In a new alert on Wednesday, NHSBT said: “Regrettably, despite active hospital support and the work of our donation teams, our stock of O D negative red cells is reducing, and we have some concern that, without increased intervention, we are at risk of having to declare a red alert.”
If the service were to reach that stage, it would result in “severe and prolonged shortages” with hospitals having to limit operations in order to prioritise blood for emergency procedures.
NHSBT aims to have six days’ worth of stock of all types of red blood cells. But four bank holidays in close succession have meant supplies have dropped below this level for several types, with O-negative, which is a universal type that can be given to all patients, falling lowest.
Gerry Gogarty, the director of blood supply at NHSBT, said: “Blood stocks, especially O-negative, are critically low due to recent holiday periods. We urge eligible donors to come forward urgently to help build supplies and save lives. Blood donation is often affected by holiday periods – every donation makes a critical difference. We are working closely with donors and hospitals to manage stocks carefully and ensure patients receive the blood they need.”
According to the blood authority, having four bank holidays and half-term fall within a six-week period has affected supplies. For O-type blood, shortages are linked to increased demand that is due to a rise in health conditions such as sickle-cell anaemia.
NHSBT told The Independent: “We urgently need more appointments to be booked and attended to help boost stocks and maintain supply to hospitals.
“We’d encourage anyone who can donate, especially those with O blood groups, to please book an appointment as soon as possible.”
Earlier this month, NHSBT sent out a plea to fill 50,000 donation appointments after shortages worsened across the four bank holidays from April to May, as donations typically drop during holiday periods.
According to the authority, hospitals need more than 5,000 blood donations daily to ensure they have enough blood to treat patients.
Stocks of O blood have consistently been at low levels over the last year and have remained at the “amber” alert stage.
In October, NHSBT warned that it had four weeks before it would have to move to red alert if donation levels didn’t increase.
The shortages were driven by increased demand and fewer O-negative donors.
Blood donation appointments can be booked at www.blood.co.uk or by calling 0300 123 23 23
