Supplies of blood for life-saving transfusions in NHS trauma centres across England remain under Amber alert, with more O-negative and black-heritage donors urgently needed.
Amber alert: stocks of donated blood in key groups have not recovered since the summer cyber attack
This has prompted the NHS to start a campaign, partnering leading commercial organisations, ranging from the Co-operative Bank, ITV, Hargreaves Lansdown, Gatenby Sanderson through to Basketball England, Millwall football club and Alton Towers Resort, who have all pledged to give employees “Donate Breaks” – dedicated, paid time off to donate blood during their working day.
With a critical need to boost blood stocks, NHS Blood and Transplant – NHSBT – is urging more companies to do the same and help save more lives this winter.
A survey of more than 3,000 blood donors shows 43% of donors would be more likely to donate blood if given time off to do so by their employer. This rises to 65% for those aged between 25 and 44.
NHS Blood and Transplant issued an Amber Alert in Jul due to a severe shortage of O-negative blood triggered by the cyber attack which impacted London hospitals in the summer. The attack meant major London hospitals couldn’t cross-match blood, so the hospitals could only use O-negative, which is used in emergencies and can be safely given to any patient when their blood type is not known.
The cross-matching system was not restored until the end of September, so the impact on blood stocks has been long-lasting and threatens to cause further shortages this winter unless more O-negative and black-heritage donors are found.
More donors of black heritage are needed because a sub-type known as “Ro” is increasingly needed to treat people with sickle cell. The NHS currently only has enough donors to supply half the amount of blood hospitals need to treat sickle cell. The rest needs to be substituted with O-negative.
Dr Jo Farrar, the chief executive of NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Thank you to these leading businesses who have signed up to help the NHS.
“Their commitment sets a powerful example of how businesses can play a crucial role in supporting public health and fostering a culture of giving within their organisations.
“Giving blood is quick and easy and should take less than an hour of your time. Please go to blood.co.uk or call 0300 303 2096 to book an appointment now.”
Employees taking part in the “Donate Breaks” initiative will be granted designated time off during their workday to donate blood. Companies will urge employees to book morning and afternoon weekday appointments at their nearest tblood donation centres.
With each successful blood donation saving up to three lives, businesses will also be able to track the number of lives their team have helped to save.
Other businesses are encouraged to join this initiative and support the NHS. For more information on how to get involved, visit: www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/support-us
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