Blood donors are urged to stick to appointments

Needed in figHt against covid

plasma also

BLOOD and plasma donors are being urged to stick to appointments after a sharp rise in missed sessions as the last lockdown began.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) issued a reminder that blood donation is classed as essential travel in lockdown and sessions are going ahead as normal.

Fit and well blood donors are asked to keep giving as normal during lockdown, to build strong blood stocks this winter and help hospitals through a second wave of Covid-19.

Su Brailsford, associate medical director at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “It’s vital for patient care over the winter months that donors keep attending sessions.

“We recognise that in order to do this they want to feel safe and that is why safety is our top priority.

“Giving blood now is as safe as it’s always been and all sessions are Covid-secure.

“No one with symptoms can come inside because of triaging on arrival and inside donors are spaced apart and wear face coverings to avoid asymptomatic people spreading the virus.

“On the whole, donors tell us these new steps put them at ease.

“These next few weeks and months will be critical for hospitals and it’s vital people know our doors remain open as normal.

“Blood donation is one of the ways you can help the NHS at this time.”

A survey by Kantar found Covid19 is contributing to safety concerns, with one in five believing it is unsafe to donate during the pandemic.

As many as 22 per cent of donors did not attend appointments as the first lockdown began.

It took four weeks before attendance rates returned to normal.

Extra safety measures are in place at sessions and these will be more widely promoted during the lockdown so donors continue to feel safe to attend and give blood so a similar dip in attendance rates is avoided this time.

Hospitals need blood for routine operations, saving accident victims and treating patients with serious illnesses like cancer. Each donation can save or improve up to three lives.

The NHS is also collecting blood plasma from people who have had Covid-19 – particularly men and people who were hospitalised with the virus – for a world-leading trial to see if the antibodies in the plasma could save the lives of people who still have the disease.

To find out more about donating blood, call 0300 123 23 23 or visit: