NHS in appeal for blood donors as supplies in the region run low
COUNTY FOLK ARE NEEDED TO HELP RAISE THE LEVEL OF SUPPLIES
A CALL has gone out to people in Leicestershire to step forward to help the NHS recover its supplies of blood this winter.
New figures reveal that 9,629 fewer donors in the East Midlands gave blood during the height of the pandemic.
In the city itself, 6,907 dedicated donors regularly donated at Leicester’s Blood Donor Centre last year, compared with 8,309 the year before.
This mirrored the national picture in England which saw hospitals kept in good supply with blood during the pandemic by the smallest pool of donors in the 21st century.
Until recently, the NHS intentionally relied on existing donors to fill the majority of appointments throughout the pandemic because they were far more likely to make a successful donation – a vital measure to make every donation count while social distancing reduced available chair space.
This meant fewer appointments were available for new donors.
Alongside the natural lifecycle of blood donors retiring every day, this led to the community of active donors shrinking last year to its lowest level since 1996.
Now, as life starts to return to normal and with fewer people donating regularly, the NHS needs new blood donors to play a crucial role in its recovery.
An unprecedented 100,000 new donors are needed to register and donate blood by spring to achieve the largest ever annual recruitment drive and join the 67,000 new donors who have already joined the club this year.
A new campaign called “This Is Amazing - NHS Blood Donation” was launched by the NHS and will run for six weeks.
It will include TV adverts and support from businesses and influencers to celebrate blood donors and their lifesaving role during the pandemic, while urging others to sign up.
Helen Duggan, assistant director of donor campaigns at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Maintaining a safe and regular supply of blood to hospitals is our top priority.
“Through the most critical time of the pandemic this was achieved thanks to a loyal club of existing donors – the smallest of the 21st century.
“As hospitals catch up on routine care, we are facing a critical crossroads to meet the rise in demand for blood and are appealing for new donors in Leicestershire to step forward and join this amazing group of lifesaving people.”
Blood is 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.
In recent years there has been a particular need for more black donors to come forward, as they are more likely to have the RO sub-type blood needed to help treat people with sickle cell.
■ To become a blood donor, register today and book an appointment by either downloading the GiveBloodNHS app, calling 0300 123 23 23 or going to the website at the end of this article.
The Leicester Blood Donor Centre is at Mansion House, Ground Floor, 41 Guildhall Lane, Leicester, LE1 5FQ.
Nearly 2,000 extra appointments have been added at the centre in November to make booking a first donation even easier.