The blood supply in England is at an all-time low at the moment, especially among people with O-type blood. NHS is thus urging more people to donate blood, especially those with the O blood type. This blood type is very important in that it is administered to any person in emergency cases where doctors do not know the blood type of their patients.

Why Blood Supply is Low

Testaments to the very low blood supply include: many people who have booked appointments to donate blood have not showed up; the needs have been higher than usual because of a cyber-attack that hit hospitals in London, which locked doctors out of their databases, making access to information about a patient’s blood type difficult and time-consuming—hence, O-type blood has been used more than usual.

What is O-type Blood?

There are four basic blood types: A, B, AB, and O. Each blood type has different markers that make them special. O blood type is extra special because it does not contain these markers; thus, it can be given to everyone without causing a reaction. That is the reason why it’s referred to as the “universal donor” blood type. Especially in emergencies, when doctors don’t have time to check a patient’s blood group, O-type blood is very important.

Current Blood Supply Levels

According to NHS Blood and Transplant, the latest statistics reflect that the supply of O negative and O positive blood is well below the target. Usually, they like to have a minimum of six days’ worth of blood stocks on hand, but currently, there is only about 1.6 days’ supply of O negative blood. This is a big problem because O negative blood is used in emergencies.

Aftermath of the Cyber-Attack

A month ago, a ransomware attack hit a company called Synnovis responsible for supporting hospitals that provide blood testing. This has left hospitals—like King’s College Hospital and Guy’s and St Thomas’ in London—in a state where they have not been able to process blood quickly. The effect on hospitals has been to guzzle an excess of O-type blood, another factor in the shortage.

Summer is a Tough Time for Blood Donations

Fewer donations make it through during the summer. With many regular donors out of town on summer vacation, others may not be able to donate in the hot weather because they are not drinking enough fluids or their iron count may be low. This has turned the situation of a low blood supply into a crisis.

What the NHS is Doing

An amber alert is a special warning calling on hospitals to only use O-type blood in very important cases. It is only the second time this type of alert has been used. NHS bosses are also encouraging people with O negative and O positive blood to make an appointment to donate as soon as possible.

How to Help

If you have O-type blood, NHS needs your help right now. Even if you don’t, don’t think your donation doesn’t count. There are 45,000 open appointments in England to donate blood that need to be filled by September. You can easily give a helping hand, help save lives, and donate blood. Just book an appointment by visiting the NHS Blood and Transplant website at www.blood.co.uk, or call 0300 123 23 23.

How Important is Blood Donation?

Blood donation is indispensable to people in emergency situations, at the time of surgery, and to those who suffer from long-term ailments. The blood donation process only takes one hour, but the difference it can bring to someone’s life is priceless. Each donated blood can save up to three lives.

Conclusion

The NHS is in severe shortage of blood, particularly the O blood type, and is in dire need of more donors. If you are able to donate, consider making an appointment. Your donation can help save lives and make a big difference in your community.