Latest news with #JoFarrar
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
NHS calls for 200,000 new blood donors as supplies run low
The NHS has warned that it continues to face a "challenging" blood shortage, as it calls for 200,000 new donors to come forward. Concern over blood stocks prompted the health service to issue an "amber alert" last year, meaning supplies were running low enough to have an impact on patient treatment. Supplies have remained low ever since, with officials warning there is a "critical" need for more donors who have O negative blood, which can be given to the majority of patients. NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), the body that oversees England's blood donation system, said the number of regular donors needs to rise from around 800,000 to more than one million to maintain a safe and reliable supply. NHSBT chief executive Dr Jo Farrar said: "Our stocks over the past 12 months have been challenging. If we had a million regular donors, this would help keep our stocks healthy - you'd truly be one in a million." There is a pressing need to avoid a "red alert", which would mean demand far exceeds capacity, threatening public safety, NHSBT added. The body's chief medical officer said such an alert could see patients waiting longer for treatment. Dr Gail Miflin told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It can mean, if you're not urgently needing blood, that you may be delayed or have an operation delayed. "But if you really need blood you'll still get it." Four-year-old Isaac receives transfusions every 12 weeks, which he calls "Hulk blood" because it makes him feel strong. Born with Spherocytosis, a condition which affects the red blood cells, he regularly becomes severely anaemic. His mother, Jasmin, said the "superhero blood" works like "magic" for Isaac, and that the shortage was worrying. "Everybody lives such busy lives. It isn't always a priority until it's someone you know or it's yourself that needs a transfusion," she told BBC Breakfast. Health Minister Baroness Merron said the NHS was in "urgent need" of more blood donors from all backgrounds. "We are working alongside NHS Blood and Transplant to make donating blood easier than ever before, opening up new donor centres and making appointments available closer to home," she added. NHSBT stressed the need for more black donors in particular, as they are more likely to have specific blood types which can help treat people with sickle cell disease. Just 2% of the population keep the nation's blood stocks afloat by donating regularly, the body said. Donors are defined as regular if they have donated in the last 12 months. The number of people registering as donors rose in 2024, but only 24% of them went on to donate. The appeal comes almost a year after the NHS issued an amber alert for only the second time in its history, last July. It was caused by what the NHS called a "perfect storm" of unfilled appointments at donor centres and increased demand following a cyber-attack, which affected services in London. At that time, stocks of O negative stood at just 1.6 days, and 4.3 days for all types of blood. Two thirds of the blood collected by NHSBT is used to treat people who rely on regular blood transfusions, including people with cancer and blood conditions. Those who want to give blood can register and book an appointment online. Get our flagship newsletter with all the headlines you need to start the day. Sign up here.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
UK faces major blood crisis, calls for 2,00,000 more donors as ‘red alert' looms large
Live Events Black donors needed NHS urgently needs more lifesaving blood donors: Health Minister Merron (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The National Health Service (NHS) has issued a warning that the UK requires one million regular blood donors to maintain supply and avoid a "red alert". The 'red alert' suggests that blood supplies are so low that there is a threat to public health service has called for 2,00,000 new donors to step forward citing that it continues to face a "challenging" shortage of blood. The NHSBT managed to add just 2% of the population, under 8,00,000 people, who sustained the whole of England's blood supply in the last one claimed that there is a "critical" need for more donors who have O negative blood. It is the universal type used in emergencies or when a patient's blood type is July 2024, officials had issued an "amber alert" for stocks of O negative and O positive blood following the cyberattacks that hit London hospitals. According to media reports, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) has stated that blood stocks have remained low on the blood stock situation, Dr Jo Farrar, NHSBT chief executive has said that the stocks have been challenging over the past 12 months. 'If we had a million regular donors, this would help keep our stocks healthy - you'd truly be one in a million,' he said."Please book an appointment today, experience how good it feels to save lives, and come and do it again in a few months," Farrar further media reports have claimed that NHSBT has stressed over the requirement of more Black donors, who are more likely to have specific blood types that can help in the treatment of people with sickle cell Minister Baroness Merron has said that the NHS is in urgent need of more lifesaving blood donors from all backgrounds."We are working alongside NHS Blood and Transplant to make donating blood easier than ever before, opening up new donor centres and making appointments available closer to home," she said, as reported by The Guardian. Women can donate blood once every four months and men can do the same once every three months.
ITV News
16 hours ago
- Health
- ITV News
NHS calls for an extra 200,000 blood donors as stocks run low
The NHS is calling for hundreds of thousands of individuals to donate blood, as supplies are running precariously low. More than one million regular blood donors are needed for the health service to maintain its blood supply, officials have said. However, less than 800,000 people donated blood last year, meaning just 2% of the population have sustained the whole of England's blood supply over the last 12 months. Last year, a severe shortage of O negative blood triggered by a cyber-attack on London hospitals prompted officials to issue an "amber alert". Due to a lack of donors, this amber alert is still in place. NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) has warned that more must be done to avoid a 'red alert', which means that blood supply is so low that there is a threat to public safety. It said there is a 'critical' need for more donors who have the so-called universal blood type, O negative blood, which is needed for treatment in emergencies. There is also a need for more black donors, who are more likely to have specific blood types which can help treat people with sickle cell disease. NHSBT said that over the past year, England has seen an increased wave of blood donation registrations, including the largest ever increase in registrations from black heritage communities. However, only 24% of those who registered have gone on to give blood, leaving 250,000 who are yet to make a donation. Just 8% of the population has O negative blood, but it accounts for 15% of the blood used by hospitals and first responders. Around half of people from Black Caribbean and Black African heritage have a blood subtype called Ro, which is used primarily to treat people with sickle cell disease, the country's fastest-growing genetic blood disorder. NHSBT chief executive Dr Jo Farrar said: 'There are many thousands of people who donate regularly and help us keep patients alive. Thank you. You are amazing. You keep the NHS going and save and transform thousands of lives a year. 'Our stocks over the past 12 months have been challenging. If we had a million regular donors, this would help keep our stocks healthy – you'd truly be one in a million. 'Please book an appointment today, experience how good it feels to save lives, and come and do it again in a few months.' Two-thirds of all blood collected is used to treat people who rely on blood transfusions, including people with cancer and those with blood conditions. One family is backing the campaign for more donors due to their own experience receiving regular blood transfusions. Four-year-old Isaac Balmer, from Hull, was born with hereditary spherocytosis – a genetic blood condition which causes red blood cells to break down faster than normal, leading to severe anaemia and other complications. He receives blood transfusions every 12 weeks in order to stay healthy. His mother, Jasmin, said: 'It's been a rollercoaster; Isaac's haemoglobin levels fluctuate, and when they drop significantly, he becomes lethargic and jaundiced. 'But when he receives his transfusion, you see the colour return to his cheeks, and his energy levels soar before our eyes. It is incredible. 'During his transfusions, he refers to donor blood as 'Hulk blood' and imagines himself becoming stronger and healthier, but this wouldn't be possible without the real life, everyday superheroes who keep Isaac and others like him alive, thanks to their regular blood donations.' Health Minister Baroness Merron said: 'The NHS is in urgent need of more lifesaving blood donors from all backgrounds. "We are working alongside NHS Blood and Transplant to make donating blood easier than ever before, opening up new donor centres and making appointments available closer to home.' 'This National Blood Week, please register and book an appointment near you so the NHS can maintain its vital blood supply.'
Powys County Times
21 hours ago
- Health
- Powys County Times
NHS calls for a million blood donors as stocks run low
The NHS needs one million regular blood donors to maintain its blood supply, officials have said. Low blood stocks prompted officials to issue an 'amber alert' over supply for hospitals last year and NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) said that more must be done to avoid a 'red alert', which means that blood supply is so low that there is a threat to public safety. Officials described the last year as 'challenging' for blood stocks, highlighting how just 2% of the population keep the nation's blood stocks afloat. This means just under 800,000 people sustained the whole of England's blood supply over the past 12 months and NHSBT said one million donors are needed to meet demand. NHSBT said that there has been a rise in the number of people who registered to be donors in the last year, but only 24% of these have gone on to donate. The amber alert was triggered in July 2024 after a cyber attack on London hospitals. And blood stocks have remained low ever since, officials said. It said there is a 'critical' need for more donors who have the so-called universal blood type – O negative blood – which is needed for treatment in emergencies. There is also a need for more black donors, who are more likely to have specific blood types which can help treat people with sickle cell disease. O negative is the only blood type that can be used in emergencies when there's no time to check a patient's type. But right now, stocks are running low. Please book now and help us continue providing lifesaving blood to patients in need. ➡️ #GiveBlood — Give Blood NHS 🩸🩹 (@GiveBloodNHS) May 23, 2025 NHSBT chief executive Dr Jo Farrar said: 'There are many thousands of people who donate regularly and help us keep patients alive. Thank you. You are amazing. You keep the NHS going and save and transform thousands of lives a year. 'Our stocks over the past 12 months have been challenging. If we had a million regular donors, this would help keep our stocks healthy – you'd truly be one in a million. 'Please book an appointment today, experience how good it feels to save lives, and come and do it again in a few months.' Two thirds of the blood collected is used to treat people who rely on blood transfusions including people with cancer and those with blood conditions. One family is backing the campaign for more donors due to their own experience receiving regular blood transfusions. Four-year-old Isaac Balmer, from Hull, was born with hereditary spherocytosis – a genetic blood condition which causes red blood cells to break down faster than normal, leading to severe anaemia and other complications. He receives blood transfusions every 12 weeks. His mother Jasmin Suggit, a newborn hearing scanner at the hospital where Isaac receives his treatment, said: 'It's been a rollercoaster; Isaac's haemoglobin levels fluctuate, and when they drop significantly, he becomes lethargic and jaundiced. 'But when he receives his transfusion, you see the colour return to his cheeks, and his energy levels soar before our eyes. It is incredible. 'During his transfusions, he refers to donor blood as 'Hulk blood' and imagines himself becoming stronger and healthier, but this wouldn't be possible without the real life, everyday superheroes who keep Isaac and others like him alive, thanks to their regular blood donations.' Health Minister Baroness Merron said: 'The NHS is in urgent need of more lifesaving blood donors from all backgrounds. We are working alongside NHS Blood and Transplant to make donating blood easier than ever before, opening up new donor centres and making appointments available closer to home.'
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
NHS calls for a million blood donors as stocks run low
Low blood stocks prompted officials to issue an 'amber alert' over supply for hospitals last year and NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) said that more must be done to avoid a 'red alert', which means that blood supply is so low that there is a threat to public safety. Officials described the last year as 'challenging' for blood stocks, highlighting how just 2% of the population keep the nation's blood stocks afloat. This means just under 800,000 people sustained the whole of England's blood supply over the past 12 months and NHSBT said one million donors are needed to meet demand. NHSBT said that there has been a rise in the number of people who registered to be donors in the last year, but only 24% of these have gone on to donate. The amber alert was triggered in July 2024 after a cyber attack on London hospitals. And blood stocks have remained low ever since, officials said. It said there is a 'critical' need for more donors who have the so-called universal blood type – O negative blood – which is needed for treatment in emergencies. There is also a need for more black donors, who are more likely to have specific blood types which can help treat people with sickle cell disease. O negative is the only blood type that can be used in emergencies when there's no time to check a patient's type. But right now, stocks are running low. Please book now and help us continue providing lifesaving blood to patients in need. ➡️ — Give Blood NHS 🩸🩹 (@GiveBloodNHS) May 23, 2025 NHSBT chief executive Dr Jo Farrar said: 'There are many thousands of people who donate regularly and help us keep patients alive. Thank you. You are amazing. You keep the NHS going and save and transform thousands of lives a year. 'Our stocks over the past 12 months have been challenging. If we had a million regular donors, this would help keep our stocks healthy – you'd truly be one in a million. 'Please book an appointment today, experience how good it feels to save lives, and come and do it again in a few months.' Two thirds of the blood collected is used to treat people who rely on blood transfusions including people with cancer and those with blood conditions. One family is backing the campaign for more donors due to their own experience receiving regular blood transfusions. Four-year-old Isaac Balmer, from Hull, was born with hereditary spherocytosis – a genetic blood condition which causes red blood cells to break down faster than normal, leading to severe anaemia and other complications. He receives blood transfusions every 12 weeks. His mother Jasmin Suggit, a newborn hearing scanner at the hospital where Isaac receives his treatment, said: 'It's been a rollercoaster; Isaac's haemoglobin levels fluctuate, and when they drop significantly, he becomes lethargic and jaundiced. 'But when he receives his transfusion, you see the colour return to his cheeks, and his energy levels soar before our eyes. It is incredible. 'During his transfusions, he refers to donor blood as 'Hulk blood' and imagines himself becoming stronger and healthier, but this wouldn't be possible without the real life, everyday superheroes who keep Isaac and others like him alive, thanks to their regular blood donations.' Health Minister Baroness Merron said: 'The NHS is in urgent need of more lifesaving blood donors from all backgrounds. We are working alongside NHS Blood and Transplant to make donating blood easier than ever before, opening up new donor centres and making appointments available closer to home.'
