NHS blood shortages: Donors urged to donate at Tooting and Stratford centres as amber alert issued

The National Health Service’s Blood & Transplant service (NHSBT) has issued its first-ever amber alert as red cell supplies have dropped to a dangerous low.

The decision was made on Wednesday October 12 - and it has asked hospitals to take action with immediate effect.

This could mean postponing some non-urgent elective surgeries to ensure blood is prioritised for patients who need it most.

A lack of staff to care for people giving blood is thought to be behind the shortage.

Overall blood stocks in the NHS stand at 3.1 days, but levels of O type blood have fallen to below two days, the threshold of an amber alert.

The NHS is urging people to come forward and fill empty appointments at large donor centres. O blood groups are in particular need.

There are 400 appointments available at the Stratford donor centre, and 130 at the Tooting donor centre, this week.

If there are no appointments straight away, donors are being asked to book for the coming weeks and check blood.co.uk for any last-minute availability.

It is said the alert will be removed when stock returns to a sustainable level, but it is anticipated this will be at least four weeks away.

The alert will have a whole host of knock-on effects, including the postponement of operations which are likely to require blood donor support.

The number of transfusions is also set to be reduced, with only patients in elected categories - one and two - to be considered.

Wendy Clark, interim chief executive of NHS Blood and Transplant said: “Asking hospitals to limit their use of blood is not a step we take lightly.

“This is a vital measure to protect patients who need blood the most.

“Patients are our focus. I sincerely apologise to those patients who may see their surgery postponed because of this.

“With the support of hospitals and the measures we are taking to scale up collection capacity, we hope to be able to build stocks back to a more sustainable footing.

“We cannot do this without our amazing donors.

“If you are O Positive or O Negative in particular, please make an appointment to give blood as

soon as you can.

“If you already have an appointment, please keep it.”

Maintaining blood stocks has been an ongoing challenge in the aftermath of the pandemic primarily due to staff shortages and sickness but also due to a change in donor behaviour as people are less likely to visit collection centres in towns and cities.

Staff are being recruited quickly to fill vacant positions and open up more appointments, and agency staff are also being sought.

As blood can only be stored for 35 days, there is a constant need for donations - and a need for specific blood types.