Persistent staffing issues may have also contributed to the amber status, as more staffers are required for donor sessions.
Critically low blood supplies have prompted the NHS department in charge of donations to issue its first-ever amber alert.
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) said that overall blood stockpiles in the health service stood at 3.1 days, but O-type blood levels have dropped to below two days.
It attempts to store more than six days’ worth of blood.
Hospitals have been instructed to conserve their blood supply, meaning non-urgent procedures needing blood may be postponed to prioritize patients with the greatest need.
In the hours following the announcement of the amber alert, the Give Blood website looked to be swamped with appointment requests.
People landing on the homepage were informed they were in a “queue” before they could select a contribution date and place.
Blood type O-negative is the universal blood type that can be given to anyone. It is crucial in emergencies and when the blood type of the receiver is unknown.
Existing O-negative and O-positive donors have been urged to schedule blood donation sessions.
Because blood may only be preserved for 35 days, there is a continuing demand for blood donations and specialized blood types.
According to NHSBT, the initial duration of the amber notice would be four weeks, which should allow blood stocks to be restored.
Approximately one in seven individuals have O-negative blood.
Air ambulances and emergency response vehicles carry emergency O-negative supplies.
Persistent staffing issues may have also contributed to the amber status, as more staffers are required for donor sessions.
After the pandemic, NHSBT reported that sustaining blood stocks was difficult, primarily due to staff shortages and illness, but also because fewer individuals visit collection locations in urban areas.
The department will attempt to address the issue by reassigning personnel to the front lines to create openings, accelerating recruitment to fill vacant positions, and utilizing contract workers.
Wendy Clark, interim chief executive officer of NHSBT, stated, “Asking hospitals to reduce their blood usage is not a decision we make lightly. This is an essential strategy to protect patients with the greatest blood requirement.
“Patients are our emphasis. I sincerely apologize to those patients whose surgeries may be postponed as a result of this.
“With the assistance of hospitals and the efforts we’re taking to increase collection capacity, we hope to be able to rebuild supplies on a more sustainable basis.
“We are unable to achieve this without our generous donors. If you are O positive or O negative, please schedule a blood donation appointment as soon as possible. Please honor your scheduled appointment.
