The NHS has issued a National Amber Alert due to a critical shortage of O negative and O positive blood. Donors from these blood groups are urgently asked to book and fill appointments at London donor centres, including 5,000 slots over the next two weeks.
The nearest donation centre for Harrow residents is at Edgware General Hospital on Burnt Oak Broadway. For more information, visit NHS Blood Donation Edgware.
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) has contacted hospitals, asking them to limit the use of O type blood to essential cases and use substitutions where possible. Current national stocks of O Negative are down to just 1.6 days, with overall blood stocks at 4.3 days. Typically, 50,000 appointments need to be filled weekly, and there are still over 12,000 appointments available across England, including 5,000 in London alone.
An Amber Alert activates emergency measures in hospitals to minimize the usage of O type blood, reassign staff to vet blood use, and implement patient blood management systems.
O negative blood, known as the universal blood type, is vital for emergencies and situations where a patient’s blood type is unknown. Although only 8% of the population has O negative blood, it accounts for 16% of hospital orders.
Despite the ongoing cyber incident affecting London hospitals and summer challenges like public events, travel, and hot weather, the NHSBT emphasizes the need for continuous blood donations to meet the 1.5 million units required annually.
NHSBT Chief Executive, Dr. Jo Farrar, highlighted the urgency: “We urgently need more O group donors in London to come forward and help boost stocks to treat patients needing treatment. Last month we saw an incredible response from donors who answered our call and filled up our centres, helping us meet the increased demands for blood throughout June. However, seven weeks on, the need for O negative blood in particular remains critical.”
“We’re making an additional 1000 appointments per week available, please take a moment to go online and book. If you can’t find an appointment immediately, please book in for coming days, weeks and months. We will have an ongoing need for donations. Thank you everyone for your support.”
Dr. Gail Miflin, NHSBT’s Chief Medical Officer, said: “Three blood donations are needed every minute in hospitals to deal with emergencies, childbirth and routine treatments. Blood only has a shelf life of 35 days so the NHS needs blood all year round.”
“There are just under 800,000 regular blood donors, 108,000 of whom are O Negative. Ultimately, we need more people to be regular blood donors and come to one of our 25 donor centres. Women can donate once every four months and men can donate once every three months.”
NHS National Medical Director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, added: “We’re seeing an increased demand for blood and shortages of stock so it’s important that donors come forward for appointments.”
“With thanks to regular blood donors across the country, hospitals will continue to access stock when necessary and prioritise it for those who need it most.”
“Patients should also continue to come forward for care if they need it – by using 999 in a life-threatening emergency or otherwise using 111 on the NHS App, online or by phone for other health concerns.”
To register and book an appointment, use the GiveBloodNHS app or visit NHS Blood Donation.
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
For news tips, press releases or enquiries, contact Chris at info@harrowonline.org.
