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.

I tried to give blood a week ago, and the nurse screwed up putting the line in. As they're only allowed one go, they didn't take any blood. The earliest appointment I can get is January.

I'm O-

I gave blood on Friday. This appointment was a re-book from the Sunday previously, when I turned up and was told they didn't have a nurse so couldn't take blood for the earlier appointments.

At least three appointments prior to that have been cancelled on the day or the day before (usually after receiving a text to say how low stocks are and that it's vital I keep my appointment ...).

It does take a bit of persistence to get through to actually giving these days, I have to say. I am an evangelist for blood donation and chase hard to do it, but I appreciate that's not easy for everyone. It is very frustrating.

You can quite often get appointments a few days before sessions when people get their reminders, realise they can't keep the appointment and cancel.

Don't bother trying to make an appointment. There's a 45-minute wait currently, just to get through!

I'm o neg. Have given 50+ times

In a 49 minute queue now. Hopefully by time I park up outside school gates to wait for DD I'll have gotten through.

I'd love to get an appt tomorrow or Friday as I have my Covid booster booked in for Saturday so don't know how long you have to wait after that - couple weeks?

I was booked in for an appointment, then had an endoscopy which means I can't give blood for some time after so had to cancel and wait six months.

Also my local donation place's appointments are always full- hard to get a slot unless you book months in advance. Then when I looked the next date was December, and I have a work do that day.

I have tried many times and never succeeded. Last couple of times I was turned away for low iron, so went on iron tablets to try and up it for them. A nice lady tried to call me to book a future one and there were no appointments within 20 miles for the following 6 months. Now I would have to queue for an hour to even get on the website! No wonder they don't have enough.

Thing is I promised someone who needed blood thst I would donate. I want to fulfil that pledge as the person is no longer with us and had their lifespan lengthened by getting the blood. Not convinced I will ever actually be successful though.

I am a regular donor, the problem is staffing at the moment, so there's no much point in swathes of the eligible population trying to book to donate.

I've had appointments cancelled at the last minute, or been unable to make one that isn't an hours drive away.

Also, like many, many, many healthy older women, my iron levels are not very high. I know what is normal for me and there have been times when I've been too low, but other times I've been bang on border line but rules is rules. I've had a year long ban and then a 3 month ban. If I get another one I'll be struck off. In a couple of years, once I'm through menopause it's likely my iron levels will improve but it'll be too late then. I do understand it, but really think more research should be done. Post menopausal women don't need as much iron as they previously did.

For any Mancunians - we’ve got the donation centre in the city centre off Market St and also the one at Plymouth Grove near the MRI. I go to Plymouth Grove despite it being further away as it has free parking. And the staff are really lovely.

Just looked it up. It's only 48 hrs!

Just went to the website and I'm in a queue!

As an o neg person this makes me feel so sad. My life was saved in 2018 due to countless blood transfusions. I hope people give blood.

I managed to give blood yesterday, luckily near a large city with good access.

Keep trying folks ❤️

Also, like many, many, many healthy older women, my iron levels are not very high. I know what is normal for me and there have been times when I've been too low, but other times I've been bang on border line but rules is rules. I've had a year long ban and then a 3 month ban. If I get another one I'll be struck off. In a couple of years, once I'm through menopause it's likely my iron levels will improve but it'll be too late then. I do understand it, but really think more research should be done. Post menopausal women don't need as much iron as they previously did

I take Floradix and always make sure I have had a tablet that day before I go. Also when I gave blood too regularly - three times in one year, which was the shortest donation window, my iron level was borderline one time. So I wouldn't do it more than every six months now.

Why do I need to queue to use the website? How can they be low on blood if so many people are booking that they have to have a queuing system? This has never happened before.

43 minutes' wait?

@Rosehugger theres obviously a queue because everyone has seen the news!

I remember getting phoned once and asked to come in to donate as they were running late, but that was the 80's.

The queuing time is going up - now it's more than an hour! Just to use a website. Honestly, fuck that.

My two adult sons are O- one has given blood previously so will ping both of them a text.
My dad is O- and donated for many years sadly too old and frail now.

Im o -

have tried to donate; not only is the nearest place a good half hour away; they’ve cancelled twice. I’m not paying bus fees again, only to get a text halfway that it’s been rescheduled. They need to open more centres!

I used to give blood but as a recipient of blood no longer able to..so appreciate everyone else doing so

I have donated 25 times now and have noticed it’s been harder to get an appointment this year. My last session was cancelled at the last minute. If there’s a queue please just wait a few days and try again to see if you can register and book. Even if it’s in a few months time it will be needed.

I wish I could still give blood but I received a donation so now I can't but I'll get DH to book an appointment!

If anyone in Scotland is reading there is no queue on the scotblood website and I was able to make an evening appointment for a couple of weeks time. No idea if there's a similar shortage here but the thread reminded me I'd been meaning to do it (never have previously due to being a wimp).

Yes, my sessions have been cancelled several times also.

My DH used to give blood regularly but has had the last few appointments cancelled last minute. Nearest place to us is a very long way away. I have tried to give blood before but was told I can't due to low BMI. I'm also now anemic and on iron and b12 injections, so even more unlikely they'd let me!