SILHILLIANS with O negative and B negative blood types are being called onto roll up their sleeves to help the NHS prepare for the challenging winter period ahead.
NHS Blood and Transplant said that while overall blood stocks remain above the target of six days, O negative and B negative stocks have come under pressure and donors with those types are being asked to help the NHS build stocks.
Mark Chambers, director of donor experience at NHS Blood and Transplant said: “O negative and B negative blood stocks are currently lower than we’d like so we’re encouraging our amazing donors in Birmingham to please come forward and help us prepare for the busy winter period.
“We understand people may have days out and holiday plans during the upcoming school half term holidays, but please don’t forget your appointment if you have one.
“We also see an increase in appointment cancellations at this time of year due to seasonal illnesses, so we’re asking if donors can please give at least three days’ notice if they need to cancel so the place can be offered to another donor. Donor and staff safety is our priority so if you are under the weather, please rest, recover, and rebook.
“We are also urging people who have registered but not yet donated to make their first appointment now. If they don’t know their blood type, then they will find out after donating for the first time – they may have one of the types we need.
“It only takes an hour to give blood and each donation can help save or improve up to three lives.”
Blood is needed to help the NHS treat patients with cancer, blood disorders and those suffering medical trauma or undergoing surgery, and O negative blood is mostly used for emergency care. Each donation can save or improve up to three lives.
The NHS say only eight per cent of the population have O negative blood but it accounts for around 14 per cent of the blood hospitals need so more O negative donors are needed than other types.
It added that B negative is one of the rarest blood types as just two per cent of Birmingham New Street donors have it.
Existing donors for all other blood types are asked to continue donating as normal.
People who have registered as a donor but not yet made an appointment to give blood are also encouraged to take that next step and make their first donation, and they will find out their blood type when they do.
In Birmingham 1,300 people who registered with Give Blood in 2023 have yet to make an appointment to donate.
Register now and book an appointment at blood.co.uk on the GiveBloodNHS app or call 0300 123 23 23.
Existing O and B negative donors who are fit and healthy should call 0300 123 23 23 for a priority appointment, and to book in their next appointment as well.
