Blood Donor Crisis: NHS Urges Public to Donate as Stocks Reach Critical Levels
The National Health Service (NHS) is issuing a pressing appeal for blood donors as stocks reach critically low levels. According to NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), the organisation responsible for managing the UK’s blood supply, a "red alert" could be triggered if demand continues to outstrip capacity, posing a significant threat to public safety.
In an interview with the BBC, NHSBT chief executive Dr Jo Farrar emphasised the gravity of the situation, stating: "Our stocks over the past 12 months have been challenging. If we had a million regular donors, this would help keep our stocks healthy – you’d truly be one in a million." The NHSBT chief executive’s comments highlight the urgent need for more donors to come forward and help maintain a stable blood supply.
The need for blood donors is particularly pressing in certain communities. Health Minister Baroness Merron stressed that the NHS is in "urgent need" of more blood donors from all backgrounds, with a particular emphasis on recruiting black donors. According to NHSBT, black donors are more likely to have specific blood types which can help treat people with sickle cell disease. Baroness Merron added: "We are working alongside NHS Blood and Transplant to make donating blood easier than ever before, opening up new donor centres and making appointments available closer to home."
Despite an increase in the number of people registering as donors in 2024, NHSBT reported that only 24% of them went on to donate. The organisation defines regular donors as those who have donated in the last 12 months, and currently, just 2% of the population keeps the nation’s blood stocks afloat by donating regularly. These statistics are concerning, particularly given that two-thirds of the blood collected by NHSBT is used to treat people who rely on regular blood transfusions, including those with cancer and blood conditions.
The NHS’s concerns about blood stocks are not new. Almost a year ago, the organisation issued an amber alert for only the second time in its history, due to a "perfect storm" of unfilled appointments at donor centres and increased demand following a cyber-attack that affected services in London. At that time, stocks of O negative blood stood at just 1.6 days, and 4.3 days for all types of blood. The BBC has learned that the situation remains precarious, with NHSBT stressing the need for immediate action to boost blood stocks.
The NHS is urging anyone who is eligible to donate blood to come forward and make an appointment. Donors can help make a real difference to patients in need, and the organisation is working hard to make the donation process as easy and convenient as possible. As Dr Farrar noted, every donor counts, and the NHS is counting on the public’s support to help maintain a healthy blood supply. The BBC has contacted NHSBT for further comment, and will continue to provide updates on this developing story.
According to the BBC, NHSBT and the Department of Health are working together to encourage more people to donate blood and to improve the donation process. Further information on blood donation and how to make an appointment can be found on the NHSBT website.
