NHS has issued it's first ever Amber alert for blood supplies

[BluSquid]

news.sky.com/story/nhs-declares-first-amber-alert-as-blood-supplies-drop-low-12718647

They need more donations, especially O-. They're talking about postponing non-critical surgeries, which have probably already been delayed so much thanks to covid.

Another O neg here, I’ve donated for the past 30 years, but since COVID my local donation centre hasn’t reopened and the nearest one is now two bus rides and over an hour away (if I’m lucky with connections etc).
I work 12 hour shifts, so sometimes it’s just impossible for me to attend the sessions.

I've had my last 4 appointments cancelled the day before. Each time I've rebooked the first available appointment in a 50 mile radius is about 3 months away so I rebook and it gets cancelled again.

Unfortunately they are so short staffed and this is why there aren't many appointments available. I've had appointments cancelled and it's taken ages to get another one nearby - it's not their fault - we know who's fault massive staff shortages are!
Keep booking, keep trying.
The staff when you get there are so lovely and it's such a wonderful thing to do and probably the easiest thing you can do to save someone's life?

They've cancelled the last 4 appointments I've made to give blood.

Another sign of staff shortages / lack of funding rather than lack of donors in my experience.

Omg well its no wonder they're running low then 🤷‍♀️

Very odd to release a press statement about low blood stock when the issue is actually the staff and organisation!

😔

Another that gave up as there was never anywhere to donate. It used to be easy years ago. No wonder there's a shortage.

I'm O- but they've made it pretty much impossible to donate here when they shut the big donation centre.

I mean the issue is lack of staff (not the staff!) DH said he'll keep trying anyway x

Blood donors used to come to our village hall every 3 months and it was very well supported.

They introduced an appointment system (rather than the normal turn up when you can) which was impossible for people who don't work set hours.

My husband had donated 49 times and was looking forward to the 50th when they stopped coming here altogether.

Now instead of dropping in when it's convenient they expect people to drive to the nearest town (25 mile round trip) and wonder why they are struggling to find donors.

I'm sure that if they returned to the previous system they would be inundated.

When people are already going out of their way to do something so vital for others it would make sense to utilise different systems in different areas rather than trying to force a 'one size fits all' and finding that it doesn't.

I’m another who stopped donating due to difficulties of booking appointment. This was even before covid

All blood groups are needed.

O negative can be given to anyone in an emergency which is why it is especially useful.
However cross matched blood (group matched) is generally better for non immediately life threatening transfusions

Wow Wales have it sorted. It's all in one location but running daily

I'm booked in next Monday (booked straight after my last donation). But I know from past experience that if I have to cancel for any reason its hard to get a slot any sooner than the three to four month cycle that everyone rebooks for. I'm also fortunate that the centre is on my way home from work and stays open till 5, so I just leave work a little early (boss doesn't mind). Also no childcare issues here, it used to make it almost impossible when the DCs were younger. I took DS along once and they clearly weren't impressed even though he just sat quietly and played with his DS. The sessions are staffed more and more thinly, there seem to be fewer of them every time, those that are there do an amazing job.

I've donated blood 5 times now. When I tried to donate again a few weeks ago, they had snazzy digital gadget to check iron level which said my iron level was border line low. Not low enough to be classed anaemic but just too low to meet their very high threshold.

Every time I've donated blood before, they've used a (copper sulphate?) solution to test iron and every time my level has been fine.

I came away feeling very disappointed. I was told that if I fail the test twice more, I can never donate blood again.

I wonder whether their testing method has anything to do with the low blood donations..

Well they won't be getting anything unless they sort out the booking issues / and location problems 😔

I used to give blood regularly,but the last couple of times I tried to donate blood I was turned away because my haemoglobin level was too low.

Same here. In fact I was opening the letter apologising for cancelling the appointment as I listened to the news. O- too
In a 48 min queue now 🤷🏻‍♀️

Thank you for raising it. As a recipient of blood products, I can never donate myself. But because of some kind fella in Manchester donating blood, I’m still alive and my very young kids still have a mummy. So thank you all for donating/ thinking about donating, you are saving lives

The irony of my username just hit me 😄

If you've ever had a blood test, it should be on record with your GP.

I'm A- but currently on a one year break due to anaemia picked up at my last appointment. Hoping I can get back to normal and donating soon as I know how important it is. My mum needed 7 units last year!

Can’t donate until November alas due to needing to wait until 6 months after giving birth. But will be handing them my O neg as soon as I can!

I’ve actually not had issues getting an appointment, but I always sign up for my next appointment before I leave the last one, and I’m near London - I either donate at the big donor centre in Tooting, or in my lunch break in C London and my employer is fine if it takes a little longer than an hour as they know it’s ‘for a good cause’. I appreciate that’s not the case for many.

I used to give blood and was up to about 20 donations, but then I had issues with low blood pressure and they've told me they don't want it any more.

I can't donate again until January. I'm Ro, so there's always a shortage, therefore I donate every 16 weeks. Luckily I work nights and have a car so can travel to wherever there's a space.

I never knew until i went to give blood and then they send you a badge with it on.