The festive period increases pressure on blood stocks as colder weather, seasonal illnesses, and busier schedules often lead to missed or unfilled appointments – just as demand from hospitals tends to increase.
New data reveals that last December saw the lowest monthly blood collection since 2020, when the pandemic was at its peak.
Last December, the NHS collected around 108,000 donations – 10 per cent below the monthly average – and the lowest monthly collection since 2020 (NHSBT monthly blood collection figures).
During the same period, hospitals were issued with 600 more units of blood than what was collected. And during Christmas week, demand for the vital O negative blood type – the universal type used to save lives in emergencies – exceeded collections by 300 units.
The next six weeks are vital to ensure there is enough blood in stock to meet demand over the busy Christmas period.
Dr Jo Farrar, Chief Executive of NHS Blood and Transplant said: “The NHS needs life-saving blood all year round. Last December we saw a slump in donations, so we are asking people to give the best gift this winter – please give blood. We have asked a lot of our amazing donors this year and we are incredibly thankful for their support and dedication.
“Between now and the end of Christmas week, we still have over 99,000 appointments that we need to fill to maintain the lifesaving supply of blood to hospitals.
“People who don’t know their blood type will find out after donating. Giving blood is quick and easy. The whole process takes just one hour and each donation can save or improve up to three lives. Please book an appointment today and help us save lives this Christmas.”
This winter, England remains in Amber alert for low blood stocks. It urgently needs donors to fill appointments at the 26 fixed donor centres – particularly in the harder to fill daytime slots – over the coming weeks and months to ensure patients continue to receive the lifesaving blood they need.
Currently there are still over 99,000 appointments to fill across England up until the end of Christmas week, with over 62,000 (63%) of these in town and city centre donor centres.
People with O negative, B negative and Ro blood types are particularly needed in coming weeks.
There is an ongoing need for more donors from the black community to help patients with sickle cell who need ethnically matched blood.
The 26 fixed town and city donor centres have greater appointment availability than community venues. NHS Blood and Transplant especially needs donors to fill slots at donor centres during the quieter weekday morning and afternoon sessions.
Blood donor sessions are held in South Tyneside at Harton Academy in South Shields and the Clarion Hotel in Boldon.
The only two days of the year that blood donations are not collected are Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, with appointments available on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.
Blood is constantly needed to help the NHS treat patients with cancer, blood disorders and those suffering medical trauma or undergoing surgery, and O negative blood is mostly used for emergency care. Each donation can save or improve up to three lives.
To book an appointment, visit https://www.blood.co.uk/, use the GiveBlood app or call 0300 123 23 23.
Source: https://www.blood.co.uk/news-and-campaigns/news-and-statements/next-6-weeks-crucial-for-christmas-blood-stocks-as-nhs-warns-of-december-slump-in-donations/
