Latest news with #Onegative
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.
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Why the UK is facing a critical blood shortage
The UK faces a critical blood shortage, with O-negative reserves nearing depletion due to recent bank holidays impacting donations. NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) warns of a potential "red alert," the highest warning level, if donations don't increase, which would limit operations to prioritise blood for emergency procedures. Hospitals are down to less than three days' worth of O-negative blood, the universal blood type. NHSBT urges eligible donors, especially those with O blood types, to book appointments immediately. The combination of four bank holidays and half-term within six weeks significantly impacted blood supplies, alongside increased demand for O-type blood due to rising health conditions.
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
UK days away from running out of blood as stocks plummet to critical levels
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 supplies 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 NHS reaches red alert, it would result in 'severe and prolonged shortages, ' with hospitals having to limit operations to prioritise blood for emergency procedures. NHSBT aims to have six days' worth of stock for 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. It 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 over the four bank holidays from April to May, as donations typically drop during holiday periods. According to the authority, hospitals need over 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.
