Appeal for new blood donors

PEOPLE are being urged to donate blood after some postChristmas and New Year clinics were “significantly underbooked”.

The Welsh Blood Service is calling for more donors to ensure hospitals maintain a steady supply over the winter season.

According to the latest stock levels across Wales, the service has four days’ worth of blood supply for O negative and just three days for AB negative. Anything under that is seen as a clinical shortage.

O negative supplies are seen as “vital” as this blood type can be used to treat any patient in an emergency.

But when it comes to more common blood types, such as O positive and A positive, the service has 11 days of supply which is seen as an acceptable level.

It must be noted that many hospitals also house their own blood banks.

The Welsh Blood Service said despite the lack of donors signing up for clinics, their stock is in an “acceptable position” at the moment.

However, this could change if they fail to increase their pool of donors into 2018.

Cath O’Brien, director of the Welsh Blood Service, said: “We’re asking the public to make a life-saving resolution in 2018 by giving blood.

“Research has shown that one in four people will need to receive blood at some point in their life, yet only 3% of our population currently donates.

“Just one hour of your time could save the lives of three people.”

All blood donations are tested for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HTLV (Human T Lymphotropic Virus) and syphilis.

O negative supplies are vital as this group is known as the universal donor as it can be used to treat any patient in an emergency.

To find out where to donate, visit www. welsh-blood.org.uk or call 0800 252 266.