To think the NHS could do better if they are so desperate for blood?

[chickpea1982]

Apparently the NHS are desperate for blood at the moment. I have O negative blood, which is in particularly high demand. I've just tried, and failed, to find an appointment - not for the first time either. There is nothing near me for the rest of the year (I live in Surrey, not the depths of beyond). I have 3 kids and a job, so my availability is pretty limited anyway, but still - nothing?!

I'm told that they would offer priority appointments once I've had my first appointment and they have confirmed my blood type, which is just ridiculous. The NHS has records of my blood type already. And I can't get a first appointment!!

Also, you can't bring kids with you, even babies. That further restricts when I could go and how far I could go as I'd have to get someone else to look after the kids.

It's like they are making it intentionally hard! Surely they could do better if they are so desperate?

Yes I agree. I've given up trying to book an appointment to donate after repeatedly trying and failing.

I’m in central/south Lincolnshire, and could go to sessions in at least 5 towns despite being quite rural. Nothing until November.

I think lack of availability of appointments is their issue more than people not wanting to donate.

Yes, I remember there use to be frequent blood donor buses. I don't think they exist now (Scotland) 😕

I agree. I got an email asking to donate as supplies were short. No places anywhere near me until at least 3 months time. When I first started giving blood in the early 90s, the blood donor service used to come into where I worked. It was so convenient.

I got an email yesterday asking for my O+ blood, so presumed they still want it.
I just tried to make an appointment at a Donor Centre at the local hospital (open six days a week) and the options were today, though it was already 7pm, or October.
Either the system has overheated in this weather - possible given the weird suggestion for today - or they really have plenty of blood in this area at least 🤷🏻‍♀️
I’m an existing donor so that isn’t the problem…

I've been trying too. Also O-.

I can't remember my password because I've been banned from donating numerous times pre hysterectomy 2 years ago.

I'm well now so can donate again. Except I can't sign in and they won't let me re register as email is registered.

Oh and the request for an email to reset password never arrives.

I can't even get in - let alone find an appointment time that suits!

I’m sure you do.

But that is quite different to what is involved when screening donors to ensure the blood supply is as safe as possible, and why we have specialist nurses at each collection session and on call haematology consultants.

it’s quite shocking to come across potential donors who are on medications, have had investigations, surgery or lifestyle/travel issues who have been told by surgeons/gps/consultants that it’s fine to donate blood when in fact it would pose a risk to recipients. Or indeed present a risk to donors themselves. The protocols are very strict and complex.

i do strongly agree that the appointment system needs a huge review though.

I found the blood transfusion service website very quick and easy at 1am! (Menopausal insomnia has some uses!).

As every session seems to be booked out for months, I think all the calls for more donations are to do with horizon scanning for winter preparedness.

No reason they can't allow the normal teams to do all the consenting and checking processes, then a bunch of volunteers acting as phlebotomists to take the blood.

More irritates me that they don't even bother ringing me back when they say they will

I am emailed asking for my blood, o neg also, I can make an appointment but totally pointless as they never run close to time so can spend well over an hour waiting to give blood so trying to fit it in between work, kids etc is a nightmare. During lockdown was brilliant, appointment only, no walk ins and was so efficient.

Website has no waiting time to get onto it now, if that is useful for anyone. I finally got an appointment for later this month

It would indeed solve a lot of issues if volunteer phlebotomists could take blood donations.

However, human blood is legally classified as a medicinal product, so strict protocols and SOPs must be followed in its collection, as in the production of any IV drug. The venepuncture needle is very different to cannulae/needles/found in other medical settings and the collection systems vary according to components being collected and can be quite complicated. The whole procedure, unlike taking a blood sample or cannulating a patient, is done aseptically because any contamination of the blood, however minimal, from the donors skin of phlebotomy procedure could be fatal for the person receiving the donation.

Training is very specific and everyone performing venepuncture - whether a donor carer, nurse, doctor or paramedic has to undergo the very structured training, and constant monitoring and evaluation to ensure the safety of the blood supply and of the donor.

However not calling you back for an appointment is totally unacceptable, and I do agree that the appointments system needs overhaul. Ideally, a system which matches donors with the supply needed to ensure no donations are wasted.

It’s busy at the moment because lots of people have been booking appointments when they wouldn’t usually, because of the media push that’s been going on.

And why would you want to bring babies or kids? You have to sit still for x amount of so can’t really entertain them if you need to, it’s an environment where they can’t go round touching everything… plus what if you fainted or felt unwell?

years and years ago when I had a job where I took blood I was told that even when you take a small amount of blood for a blood test - once you’ve taken so much it can clot in the tube if it’s a small needle, especially if the veins aren’t great. I have had that happen. So I am assuming it needs to be a larger needle to get the amount they need without it blocking up the tube

I agree. Ive tried on a number of occasions to book appointment to give blood on my days off and not been able to find anything either on my day off or outside working day, so just don't bother as I physically can't!! If I could, I would.

It also doesn't help that the nearest main donor centre is city centre and have to pay a fortune to park. They have some other centres they visit that are nearer but appointments there are rare.

@Boopbeepbeepboop the needle has to be a wide bore to prevent the blood clotting within it, and to enable it stay in a wide vein for as short a time as possible whilst collecting a full donation.
It is not the same as blood sampling collection or IV cannulae which can be varied.

Do you not have community donation sessions in England then? I am in Glasgow - there is a permanent donation centre in the middle of the city but that involves getting the train into town, or paying for parking.

Three times a year though the blood service set up in the local church hall which is 5 minutes away with loads of parking for those who need it, they email me a few weeks ahead of their visit prompting me to book my appointment, sessions run something like 1pm to 4pm and 5pm to 8pm and I never have a problem getting a slot which suits me.

It also doesn't help that the nearest main donor centre is city centre and have to pay a fortune to park.
It might be worth asking if they have anything in place to provide reduced price or free parking. I go to a city centre donation centre and you can use the shopping centre car park for free for two hours if you have donated blood, you just give them your numberplate when you check in for your appointment. It isn't clearly advertised on the website though, I only found out after my first few appointments.

We do have community sessions in England . These used to be drop in and always busy. Most people at ours were happy to wait, had no issues waiting.
Now you have to have an appointment, booked weeks/months in advance which my husband (O neg) can't commit to due to work. (sometimes no appointmenrs).

If they would do a few sessions that were drop in I think it would help some people continue to give blood.

YANBU. I’ve just signed up but the next available appointments are in October, in locations I’ll struggle to get to.

You're right, couple other people let me know this. Had no idea 😊

Yes, DH is the same blood type as you, he has tried a few times to get an appointment and has given up now as it just seems to be impossible.

I think it’s the classic thing with many public services tbh, there’s not enough investment in the basics (e.g. ensuring there are enough people to set up and run a blood donation service) which then causes major problems down the road.

Years ago you just showed up and waited, they probably got through more people that way. They don’t want my blood anymore after I needed a transfusion so I haven’t donated for over a decade now but it’s a shame it’s so hard now to donate

My point being there is no reason why they can't "train" us up in learning whatever is special about said needle skills - I've spent 15y taking bloods/cannulating from anything from a premature babies on day 1 of life to 100yo for theatre.

I'm well aware of aseptic technique haha I put central lines into people's hearts on a near alternate day basis and inject medications into spinal fluid most days... I'm pretty sure I can aseptically manage to insert a needle into a vein and connect it to a giving set, when my job is far higher risk than that daily.

But clearly the role is above the compentence of someone that administers potentially fatal inducing drugs to keep someone asleep while they undergo surgery daily (so I won't bother trying to apply to be helpful...

DD struggled to get an appointment a couple of years ago and when she did they ended up cancelling on the day. She has been unsuccessful in her attempts to be removed from any lists. Has blocked them and still gets several calls a week (possibly even a day). At times I would consider it harassment and have thought about reporting as such. If this is how people are treated in more cases than just her I'm not at all surprised there's a shortage of blood and would question exactly why that is.