NHS donor plea to fill 50,000 appointments as four Bank Holidays in just six weeks impact vital blood stocks

A critical appeal has been issued to blood and platelet donors across England to help fill over 50,000 available appointments at town and city centre donor centres as the NHS warns of a looming shortfall in blood stocks, with 4 Bank Holidays in just 6 weeks threatening to impact supplies.

As millions enjoy the 2 Bank Holidays and half term holiday which fall together in May, NHS Blood and Transplant is urging the public to book and fill appointments over the next 6 weeks.

Blood donations often drop over bank holiday weekends, and with Easter falling late this year, 4 bank holidays in just 6 weeks have placed increased pressure on blood stocks.

Currently England remains in Amber alert for low stocks of O negative and O positive blood, so it is critical that enough donors step forward now to keep blood in good supply to hospitals throughout May and into the summer months.

The need for blood never stops

Donors are being asked to make an appointment to donate if they don’t already have one. People who want to start donating are also encouraged to take that first step and make their first donation.

People are urged to book into one of the 28 town and city centre donor centres where there is good appointment availability – with a particular need to fill daytime appointments.

People with O negative, O positive, A positive and RO blood types are particularly needed over the coming weeks. There remains an ongoing need for more donors of Black heritage to help patients with sickle cell who need ethnically matched blood.

"The need for blood never stops," said Gerry Gogarty, Director of Blood Supply at NHS Blood and Transplant. "We are extremely grateful to everyone who has donated so far this year, but we must act now to avoid falling behind.

"To avoid facing a 'spring slump' in donations, we urgently need donors to book an appointment today – and help us fill appointments over the weeks ahead.

"If you can’t find an appointment straightaway, please book further ahead or keep checking back to help fill last minute availability or cancellations. Each donation has the power to save up to 3 lives."

Hospitals across England need over 5,000 blood donations every day to ensure they have the blood they need to treat patients for wide variety of reasons – from traumatic injuries or accidents, cancer treatments, sickle cell and childbirth. However, blood has a shelf life of 35 days, and platelets only 7 days, so it is vital stocks are constantly replenished.

How you can help

Across the country there are still thousands of appointments available to fill, with greatest availability at our donor centres situated in major towns and cities, including Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Cambridge, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Plymouth and Sheffield.

Donating a unit of blood takes just an hour and each donation can save up to 3 lives.

Book a blood donation appointment today through our website or call 0300 123 23 23 to find your nearest session.