Over the Christmas week demand for blood from hospitals in England exceeded collections by almost 3,000 units

A blood donation sign — NHS Blood and Transplant – Blood donor centre sign

The NHS is urging people in London to make saving lives one of their New Year’s resolutions as blood stocks run low in the capital.

National figures released today reveal that over the Christmas week demand for blood from hospitals exceeded collections by almost 3,000 units.

During the same period, demand for the vital O negative blood used to save lives in emergencies exceeded collections by over 900 units.

The festive period is always a challenge for blood stocks as cold weather, seasonal illnesses and busier diaries lead to more unfilled and missed appointments, while demand from hospitals can rise. Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are the only days of the year that blood isn’t collected.

Currently England remains under an ‘amber alert’ for low blood stocks. While community venues are well booked, there is good availability at the 27 town and city donor centres over the coming weeks and months. The seven London donor centres in Brixton, Edgware, Stratford, Shepherds Bush, Tooting, the West End and Twickenham have a combined total of almost 26,000 appointments still available over the next six weeks.

Donors are being asked to make an appointment to donate if they don’t already have one. People who have registered as a donor but not yet made an appointment to give blood are also encouraged to take that next step and make their first donation at one of the permanent donor centres, which have a combined 11,000 appointments available nationally over the next two weeks.

People with O-negative, B-negative and Ro blood types are particularly needed in the coming weeks. There is an ongoing need for more donors of black heritage to help patients with sickle cell who need ethnically matched blood.

First-time donors who don’t know their blood type will find out after their first successful donation.

Dr Jo Farrar, chief executive at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “The new year is a time when lots of people make resolutions. Make giving blood your resolution for 2025 and you will save up to three lives every time you donate.

“The NHS needs life-saving blood all year round, so we are asking people to help us maintain the lifesaving supply of blood to hospitals this year by booking an appointment now.

“Between now and the middle of January we still have almost 11,000 appointments that we need to fill.

“Giving blood is quick and easy – the whole process takes just one hour. Book an appointment today and save lives this year.”

Book an appointment to give blood:
Call 0300 123 23 23
Visit blood.co.uk

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