Give blood

A lack of staff to care for people giving blood was partly to blame, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) said. The NHS usually has six days' worth of blood stocks ...

If you already have an appointment, please keep it," Ms Clark said. Overall NHS blood stocks stand at 3.1 days but levels of O-type blood have fallen to below two days - the threshold for an amber alert. Blood supplies have been a challenge since the pandemic because of staff shortages, staff sickness and a change in people's behaviour, which means they are less likely to visit donation centres in towns and cities, according to NHSBT. "This is a vital measure to protect patients who need blood the most," she said. O blood groups are in particular demand because O positive is the most common blood type, and everyone can receive O negative blood in an emergency or if a person's blood type isn't known. A lack of staff to care for people giving blood was partly to blame, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) said.

Blood donations are currently at a critically low level. NHS Blood and Transplant has triggered an amber alert, which came into force on Wednesday October ...

[register your details](https://my.blood.co.uk/preregister) on the Give Blood database. You will also need to weigh between 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and 25 stone (158kg). O negative donors are also in demand as hospitals need this blood type most regularly, as it can be given to all patients Opposite John Lewis and the Victoria Centre, it is ideally located for university students or city centre workers as well as shoppers. This is because men generally have higher iron levels than women. This is due to staff shortages and sickness but also a change in donor behaviour as people are less likely to visit collection centres in towns and cities. How to give blood? At the moment the NHS particularly need male donors as men can donate more often than women. [doctor](https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/health/) prescribed the drugs There are other medical conditions that may mean you can't donate, which will be checked first. To donate blood you will need to be generally fit and well and be aged between 17 and 65. Where to give blood? [Ro](https://www.blood.co.uk/why-give-blood/demand-for-different-blood-types/ro-blood/), that are more common in people of Black heritage, means more black people are needed to become blood donors..

Normally, the NHS aims to keep more than six days' worth of blood supplies in stock. However, NHS Blood and Transplant has said that overall stocks are ...

You can also find out your blood type when you give blood, however. There are 25 permanent blood donation centres across England, including one in Birmingham. Generally, men have higher iron levels than women, which is why they’re allowed to donate blood more frequently. Non-urgent operations in need of blood may now be postponed in order to conserve stocks for patients in the most serious need. Normally, the NHS aims to keep more than six days’ worth of blood supplies in stock. However, they must also meet other donor eligibility criteria and have suitable veins.

As the NHS issues an amber alert because of a shortage of blood supply, we look at who can and can't donate blood.

There are some health, travel and lifestyle reasons that may stop you from being able to donate blood on a temporary basis. - you have had anal sex with a new partner in the last three months; Air ambulances and emergency response vehicles also carry O negative supplies for emergencies.

Existing O negative and O positive donors are now being asked to book in at blood donor centres to give blood. The Cambridge Donor Centre is open from 7.50am to ...

If you are O positive or O negative in particular, please make an appointment to give blood as soon as you can. This is a vital measure to protect patients who need blood the most. If you already have an appointment, please keep it.” “With the support of hospitals and the measures we are taking to scale up collection capacity, we hope to be able to build stocks back to a more sustainable footing. Existing O negative and O positive donors are now being asked to book in at blood donor centres to give blood. O negative blood is the universal blood type which can be given to everyone.

The amber alert will last initially for four weeks, which NHSBT said should enable blood stocks to be rebuilt. EMBARGOED TO 0001 MONDAY DECEMBER 13 Undated ...

Declaring amber for all blood groups makes it easier for hospitals to manage stocks. You can give blood if you: You cannot donate blood if you: People currently need to wait four months after a new tattoo or piercing before they can give blood. Phone lines run by NHSBT also saw a sharp increase in calls. - You must not donate for at least three months since first sexual contact if you have had anal sex with a new sexual partner (a new partner is someone that you have not had sex with before or a previous partner with whom you have restarted a sexual relationship)

The NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) had to declare its first-ever amber alert as blood supplies dropped critically low.

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New blood donors are being urged to come forward with those in the O blood group in most demand.

These can include being ill, pregnant, if you had a baby in the last six months, have travelled to certain countries or even have a new tattoo or piercing. To become a blood donor all you have to do is simply register on the This is a vital measure to protect patients who need blood the most.” [New donors ](/health/what-sickle-cell-disease-condition-explained-how-donate-blood-why-nhs-black-donors-3869270)are being urged to come forward, with those in the O blood group in demand as it is the most common blood type and can be received by all patients in an emergency. However not everyone who wants to will be able to donate blood. There are certain reasons which would make you ineligible. With the support of hospitals and the measures we are taking to scale up collection capacity, we hope to be able to build stocks back to a more sustainable footing.” The NHS normally has six days’ worth of blood, but levels are expected to fall to below two days. Blood banks have also been hit by staff shortages. Adding: “Patients are our focus. Here’s everything you need to know. There are growing concerns the knock-on effect will see NHS surgeries postponed or cancelled.

The NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) had to declare its first ever amber alert as blood supplies dropped critically low.

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The NHS may have to postpone some non-urgent surgeries after issuing its first-ever amber alert over low blood supplies — here's where you can donate and ...

- Are pregnant or have had a baby in the last six months If you already have an appointment, please keep it." - Have had sexual contact with a partner who is HIV positive, HTLV positive, a hepatitis B or C carrier, syphilis positive, has received money or drugs for sex, has injected non-prescribed drugs in the last three months - Finished taking Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) or Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) in the last three months - Have had anal sex with a new partner in the last three months While people of all blood types can donate blood, the NHSBT is currently calling for people who have O-Positive or O-Negative blood to donate.

Non-urgent operations requiring blood may now be postponed to ensure stock is reserved for patients who need it the most.

It is vital in emergency medical situations as it can be given when an injured person's blood type is unknown. If you already have an appointment, please keep it." For the first time ever, reduced blood supplies have prompted health officials to issue an amber alert warning, which could result in postponed medical operations. O-type blood supplies have been most affected, with stocks dropping to below two days. - Are pregnant or have had a baby in the last six months [NHS](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/all-about/nhs-scotland) is urgently appealing for [blood](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/blood-soaked-man-hacked-machete-28191547) donations as supplies have fallen to a critically low level in the UK.

Hospitals have been told to implement plans to protect their stocks, meaning non-urgent operations requiring blood could be postponed.

NHSBT is currently in need of O negative and O positive blood supplies. The test takes around five minutes and requires a few drops of blood from your finger. A message on the NHSBT website says all other donors should “check back later”. To donate in Wales, head to [welsh-blood.org.uk](http://welsh-blood.org.uk/). You will also need to wait before you can donate if you are pregnant, or have had a baby in the last six months, or have recently had a tattoo or piercing. Potential donors can also find out their blood type by registering for a What’s Your Blood Type event run by the NHSBT. Blood group O can donate red blood cells to anybody. Donors typically find out their blood type when they give blood for the first time. How can I find out what blood group I am? How can I find where to donate blood near me? To give blood in Scotland, donors can register at To become a blood donor, you need to register your details on the NHSBT database -

The NHS has issued its first-ever amber-warning status, which is expected to last for four weeks in order to enable stocks to be replenished.

[blood.co.uk](https://my.blood.co.uk/). [here](https://my.blood.co.uk/). - London West End - open from 8.15am to 7.30pm on weekdays, and 9am to 4pm on weekends. - London Tooting - open from 8.30am to 5pm on weekdays, and 8am to 4pm on weekends. - London Westfield Shepherd’s Bush - open from 10am to 6pm most days. - London Edgware - open from 8am to 11.45am, and 12.45pm to 4.30pm most days.