Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
There has been a persistent shortage of blood donations within the NHS, prompting a call for 200,000 new donors to step forward. Last year, the health service issued an “amber alert” due to low blood stocks, which could potentially impact patient treatment. This shortage has continued, highlighting the critical need for more donors, especially those with O negative blood, which is compatible with most patients.
Officials from NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) have emphasized the importance of increasing the number of regular donors from 800,000 to over one million to ensure a safe and reliable blood supply. NHSBT’s chief executive, Dr. Jo Farrar, stressed the significance of having a million regular donors to maintain healthy stocks. The goal is to prevent a “red alert” situation where demand surpasses capacity, potentially leading to delays in patient treatment.
A real-life example of the impact of blood donations is four-year-old Isaac, who receives transfusions every 12 weeks to combat severe anaemia. His mother, Jasmin, highlighted how the “superhero blood” makes Isaac feel strong, emphasizing the vital role of blood donors. Health Minister Baroness Merron emphasized the urgent need for more blood donors from diverse backgrounds, with a specific emphasis on recruiting more black donors to aid individuals with sickle cell disease.
The shortage of blood donations became a significant concern last year when the NHS issued an amber alert for the second time in its history. A combination of factors, including unfilled appointments at donor centers and increased demand due to a cyber-attack, contributed to the low blood stocks. To address this issue, NHSBT is working on making blood donation more accessible by opening new donor centers and offering appointments closer to people’s homes
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.