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.

The appointments system works for regular donors IMO as long as you rebook immediately after your last donation (it was good when they did it for you as you had your drink). But for new donors, anyone who's had a break or needs to change appointment its really hard as most people rebook immediately so all the slots are gone 3-4 months ahead.

Managed to get a slot for next month.

The thing with appointments is for busy people, you just don't know what you might be doing in three month's time. And while I would try to make blood donation a priority, sometimes other things pop up at work or home.

I've just tried to book appointment, waited through the queue! However you can't look for appointments without an account and I can't create an account, it's telling me to ring up. I just don't have time to waste right now.

You need read the news. It's staff shortages which is the problem, and since the Amber news many many people tried to book.

Well why are they asking for donors then, if they don’t have the staff to take the donations?

I'm A+, so the next critical group up
@ForkHandler I wouldn’t have thought A+ was in demand? 30% of people have A+, there’s tons of it around.

There are appointments at some venues and they are asking people to come forward to fill available appointments.

I booked an appointment 2 weeks ago and the earliest slot I could get was Nov 21st. It's lucky that I'm able to attend that one as I'm on holiday, otherwise I can never get a slot that fits around work/childcare. It's a shame as I live within walking distance of a large hospital and if they did walk-in donations there I could donate as often as possible!

It is worth checking (if you are available) for last minute cancellations on the website, as we move into winter there are more of them with people getting colds, flu, covid etc.

If you look at the graphic, it's the next lowest blood type in stock, with just under 3 days' supply left. Presumably because it's quite common and so gets used.