Latest news with #NHSBloodAndTransplant
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Urgent plea for O negative blood donors in Birmingham
The NHS has warned that supplies of O negative blood in the West Midlands are "critically low", as it urges people to Blood and Transplant has revealed there are 4,033 donors in the region with the O negative blood type whose last donation was more than 12 months is calling on these donors to come forward urgently to help the NHS rebuild supplies, after a combination of factors have left this blood type under particular pressure. England remains on amber alert for low stocks of O type blood. The NHS said four bank holidays, the Easter holidays and half-term break all falling within a six-week period had made maintaining steady stocks particularly challenging. Blood donations often drop over bank holiday weekends and holiday periods when people are busy and forget to Gogarty, director of blood supply for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: "Our 'missing' O negative donors in the West Midlands have the power to relieve the pressure on supplies of this vital blood type."If you are O negative and haven't given blood in a while, please book an appointment to donate today. Don't hesitate - patients need you now."Our donor centres like the one in Birmingham's New Street generally have the best availability. If you can't find an appointment straight away please book further ahead or keep checking back to help fill last minute appointments or cancellations. Every donation makes a critical difference." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
NHS issues critical appeal for Birmingham blood donors
The NHS in the West Midlands has issued a "critical" appeal for people to give blood as donations dip over the bank holiday period. People with O negative, O positive, A positive and RO blood types are particularly needed over the coming weeks. Three thousand blood donor appointments are still available to be filled at the Birmingham Donor Centre, on New Street, the NHS said. The appeal said there also remained an ongoing need for more donors of black heritage to help patients with sickle cell disease who need ethnically matched blood. Four bank holidays in just six weeks could push supply to critical levels, said the body's Blood and Transplant department. A spokesperson said: "Blood donations often drop over bank holiday weekends, and with Easter falling late this year, four bank holidays in just six weeks have placed increased pressure on blood stocks."England currently remains in Amber alert for low stocks of O negative and O positive blood. "The need for blood never stops," said Gerry Gogarty, director of Blood Supply at NHS Blood and Transplant. "We are extremely grateful to everyone who has donated so far this year, but we must act now to avoid falling has a shelf life of 35 days, and platelets only seven days, so it is vital stocks are constantly replenished, the organisation said. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
