Blood donor appeal issued as wintry weather hits supplies

The NHS is appealing for blood donors to brave the wintry weather as supplies of some blood groups run low.

The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) said supplies of O+, A+, B+, AB+, A- and O- have been hit by fewer people coming to donor centres due to snow and freezing temperatures.

With 450 donors needed each day to meet the demand of patients across the country, the service is calling on new and existing donors to book appointments and help rebuild supplies.

Dr Sylvia Armstrong-Fisher, SNBTS head of territory for the northern arch, said: “We are asking the people of Scotland to book your appointment now and help us rebuild supplies.

“It is very important you book to donate in one of our donor centres (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness) as they have been quiet.

“We have plenty of appointments available. During bad weather donor centres remain accessible, so we are relying on these venues and donors at this time.

“SNBTS is still visiting communities across Scotland and is grateful to all donors and local communities who have demonstrated such amazing commitment.

“This situation is set to continue with adverse weather and flooding, so please do book an appointment if you can.”

SNBTS said donated blood can only be kept up to 35 days, making regular donations vital to maintaining supplies.

It also said freshly-donated blood is needed for Scotland’s most vulnerable patients, such as babies.

Blood used for neonate intra uterine transfusion (when a baby receives blood in the mother’s womb) is never more than five days old.

SNBTS also said donations of O+, A+, O- and A- blood types are needed to manufacture a blood product called platelets, which only have a shelf life of seven days.

It added that one unit of platelets takes four “whole blood” donations to produce.

Dr Armstrong-Fisher said: “Every day, Scotland needs around 450 blood donors to meet the needs of patients in hospitals across the country.

“This does not take a rest due to bad weather.

“However, fewer people are donating than before and this puts pressure on Scotland’s blood supply.

“I am urging both new and returning donors to come forward to help ensure lifesaving blood is always available.”

There are eight different blood groups and SNBTS aims to retain five to seven days supply of all eight at all times.

The current shortage is taking place against the backdrop of a “concerning” downward trend in donor participation in Scotland.

SNBS said there are currently 92,928 active blood donors in Scotland, but that donor participation has fallen from around 3% to just under 2% of the population.

Debbie McNaughton, associate director donor & transport services at SNBTS, said: “The fact less than 2% of the population are actively giving blood is a concerning trend.

“In the last 10 years we have seen a drop of 24% – which is just under 30,000 donors. We are also seeing a particular challenge around younger people coming forward.

“The blood supply has been maintained by our regular donors giving more often, but we really need new donors, or those who have not given for some time, to come forward”.

Appointments can be booked online at www.scotblood.co.uk or by calling 0345 90 90 999.