Summer 2025 update

Amber alert stood down

The amber alert on national blood stocks was stood down in July 2025 after remaining in place for nearly a year.

Donors responded to the alert – issued when blood stocks were dangerously low – by booking appointments all across the country. Over 100,000 people booked appointments in just one week in June, with 29,000 signing up as donors.

To make it easier for people to give blood, more appointments were created, including at new donor centres in Brixton and Southampton. A third new centre in Brighton opens its doors in September.

Hospitals have also supported the effort by better managing the use of blood, and of O negative in particular. O negative, known as the 'universal type', can be given to anyone in an emergency and substituted for other blood types when stocks are low.

We would like to thank everyone who donated during the amber alert and helped to maintain supply to patients in need at a crucial time.

Please continue booking appointments to donate to help ensure stocks can reach target levels.

Ironheart

This summer, we’ve partnered with Marvel Television’s Ironheart and London charities, Black Blood Matters and the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) to inspire more people of Black heritage to give blood and build a legacy.

Together, we’ve created two short films that celebrate Black heritage communities and the powerful impact of blood donation.

The NHS urgently needs 16,000 new Black heritage donors, whose blood holds the key to saving and improving the lives of Black heritage patients needing ethnically matched transfusions.

The films, created by Black Blood Matters and the ACLT, are inspired by the all-new Ironheart series, all episodes of which are now streaming exclusively on Disney+.

Watch the films and read more about the campaign here.

Children at donation venues

We remind donors that while children (aged 11 and under) are welcome at our donation venues, they must be accompanied by another adult whilst you donate.

Please be aware that you can only bring children with you to your appointment if they are accompanied by another adult (aged 16 and over) who is:

• not donating (or has an appointment booked at least 1 hour after the first donor) 
• known to the children
• able to take responsibility of the children in an emergency

These rules are based on the advice of other UK blood collection services and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

Donation sessions can present hazards to children if they are not supervised while their parent or carer donates. 

On rare occasions, some donors can also become unwell because of their donation. Having another adult present to make sure the child is safe allows our staff to provide the best possible care.

Port Royal patties

During National Blood Week, we teamed up with Port Royal Patties for a tasty and impactful partnership. With 180,000 patties carrying a special message and a QR code linking to donation info, this delicious campaign helped take our lifesaving message directly into homes and communities. It’s a bold and flavourful example of how creative partnerships are helping us reach more people and inspire more donors.

Age limit for returning donors increased

The age limit for returning blood donors has been increased from 70 to 72, enabling older former donors to give blood again.

The Joint UK Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee (JPAC) has made the change after reviewing the health and safety of older donors.

If you are aged between 70 and 72, have donated before, and would like to return to blood donation, please call 0300 123 23 23 and speak to a member of staff.

You will be reinstated as a donor and will be able to ask questions about your health and ability to donate.

As with all donors, you will need to complete the donation safety check before you give blood. Please check our website for common reasons people are unable to donate.