Blood transfusion service issues amber alert as stocks fall to low levels

The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) has issued an amber alert for the first time after stocks of type O blood fell to low levels.

The service said that blood stocks have dropped to “unprecedented” low levels due to an increase in the use of group O in recent months and a shortage of blood donors.

It has issued an amber alert to hospitals across Scotland asking them to ensure type O blood is only used when essential and to maximise the use of alternatives to transfusion where possible.

The SNBTS is asking all donors, but particularly those who are O negative or O positive, to urgently attend appointments in the coming days and weeks.

SNBTS aims to always retain five to seven days supply of all blood groups but it said that stocks have been consistently below target levels for several weeks, while stocks of group O blood have fallen to below two days on several occasions.

Dr Lorna McLintock, medical director at SNBTS, said: “To supply hospitals with the 135,000 units of blood they need each year to treat patients, appointments need to be fully booked all year round.

“The winter months can be particularly challenging due to the weather, illness and people enjoying the holiday season.

“Blood donors are asked to book appointments over the coming days, weeks and months in order to maintain Scotland’s blood stocks.”

The amber alert will come into force at 9am on Tuesday November 10 and will be in place for an initial period of four to six weeks, but will be kept under close review.

Hospitals will continue to carry out urgent, emergency or trauma surgery, transplant surgery, cancer surgery and blood transfusions to treat people with long-term conditions, SNBTS said.

O positive blood is the most common blood type in Scotland, according to the ScotBlood website, while O negative blood can be given to almost anyone.

SNBTS said that currently only around 2% of the eligible population in Scotland give blood.

It is urging anyone aged 17 or over who is in general good health to register as blood donors at scotblood.co.uk