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

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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.

Anyone who is concerned about this - my advice is to vote this shitshow of a government out when you get the chance.

Definitely make sure you eat and drink plenty beforehand - they advise that regardless.

I've been in a queue for 1.5 hours and it still says 45 minutes to wait. I gave up.

At my last donation they were pushing me to drink as apparently good hydration is better for donating. I said I’d had a couple of pints of water before I left but the nurse said it’s better to drink a lot the day before, as then you really are fully hydrated rather than having loads of water in your belly and needing the loo.

I booked an appointment months ago and the next appointment was 4 months away. I mean; I think people are willing but there aren't enough donation centres.

I've tried and failed to book an appointment for ages now. I have an account online - I must do - I've booked online before and have emails to prove it, but now I can't access my account and I keep getting sent around in a loop when I try resetting passwords, etc. It won't let me set up a new account as it recognises I already have one, but then won't let me in to it.

Whenever I've checked the session finder there isn't a session at my most convenient centre for months and what there is is already fully booked.

It just makes it so difficult to try and sort out.

I really want to do it though, even though I nearly fainted last time! (More biscuits for me!)

There are several potential donation centres near me (North Wilts) all within 10 miles, most within 5, so it obviously depends on where you live.
I donated my 58th "pint" last week 😇 so can't give again for a few months, but when I went on the app to book it, I got a message to say the website is very busy and they are queuing people who are trying to access it.
The appeal has obviously worked!

PS once you're in the system - ie not a first time donor - the app only shows you appointments when they need your blood type. Mine is B+ so of limited use, and therefore I only see a limited number of sessions.

I've given blood three times now. The first time I wasn't hydrated enough and didn't give enough blood and ended up with horrendous bruising all the way down my arm.

The second time was fine - I'd hydrated well enough and had no bruising or fainting issues.

The third time again was OK until I'd finished. Sat at the little treats table with some squash and a choccy biccy and was just thinking it was about time I made a move, when I started feeling all clammy. I think the colour must have drained totally out of my face as the nurse just took one look at me, hauled me up and back in to a chair, swung back with my feet in the air! We did have a bit of a laugh about it as I sat there upside down!

I think some people are more susceptible to fainting than others. A friend of mine only gave blood once as his blood flowed so quickly he fainted and had a fit. He was recommended to not go again!

Screen shot just taken.

They have said that the issue is staff availability to collect donations though, so I don't think the Amber alert was intended as an appeal to prompt the public to give blood, per se.

What the Amber alert has done is make the public of exactly how dire their staffing situation is, and the potential repercussions of that. Which is a good thing, because ultimately public pressure is the only thing that will make the government take action in relation to the NHS.

Over the last six months I have had three appointments to donate blood. Two of these were cancelled but they did not tell me this until the day before.

The third appointment I managed to give blood but it was not a very nice experience as the nurse taking the blood was surly and unpleasant. The person on the door who was asking for people's names as they came in was also a bit snippy and rude as well. Not directly to me but to people who were ahead of me in the queue.

I get that the staff are under pressure, and possibly don't really want to be there, but people are less likely to want to give blood if they are made to feel an inconvenience.

Then there is the issue of cancelling appointments or making them so far away that people just don't bother going. Basically if you want people to give blood then you need to make it easy for them to do it.

Like others have said it’s really hard to give blood now. They used to bring a mobile unit to a local car park now the nearest place is more than an hour away. I can’t afford to spend lots of time/ petrol to donate. Needs to be easier.

It already had stopped, way before covid. They have reduced their sessions more and more.

I've only given blood once. The next two appointments I made, they sent me away.
I've given up a bit now, it's humiliating to have your blood refused when you want to help.

I am O neg and always being asked to donate but it's hard to go when working long days full time. Will try to go soon now I have seen this.

What’s weird though is my husband is O negative and he rang up the instant I showed him the newspaper article. They couldn’t fit him in for 4 weeks! Either the article really worked or they aren’t that bothered 🤷‍♀️

Why was it humiliating? They have always been terribly apologetic when I've been unable to donate, thanking me for my time and being encouraging.

One thing which I think they may be working on is how to make donating easier. I had a questionnaire emailed to me a few weeks back asking if I’d find weekend or later evening sessions useful.

I think they do seem to be doing some research in to these issues at the moment - I got a questionnaire last week on why I 'had missed my appointment'. (Hmmm, I didn't, I turned up fine thank you!)

Whether any of that will improve things, I don't know - but it definitely doesn't seem to be a shortage of willing donors that is the problem at the moment.

It is a shame the system isn’t better- but there are appointments at some centres. I signed up to give blood in December 2020. In January 21 my child was diagnosed with cancer. Many transfusions later I am so grateful to those that donate. #itsneveryou

I'm not allowed to donate because I have well controlled epilepsy. It doesn't stop them taking blood tests etc but apparently I'm too risky to give blood. 🙄 I used to donate regularly and got my employer to allow people to donate on works time and it annoys Mr that I'm not trusted to know my own conditions.

I have been asking them for years if I am able to donate. And Everytime no one gives me an answer so I never do. I am b 12 deficient and Everytime I ask they shrug and say we don’t know.

I was once called about making an appointment, I agreed and showed up where they said they would be. Lady checked the list and said “you’re not on here” and sent me away. Now year later I am unable to give blood as I have a diagnosed illness that puts me on the cannot donate list.

It doesn't stop them taking blood tests etc but apparently I'm too risky to give blood.

Giving blood is a rather larger volume than for blood tests (they also take for tests before they take your donation, as they screen everything.)