A ‘PERFECT storm’ of increased demand for blood from hospitals and reduced collections due to high levels of unfilled appointments at donor centres has caused stocks to drop to unprecedentedly low levels.

Bosses at NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), based in Dodworth, issued a letter to hospitals in which they announced an ‘amber alert’ asking them to restrict the use of O-type blood to essential cases and use substitutions where clinically safe to do so.

O-negative and O-positive donors are asked to urgently book and fill appointments at donor centres in a bid to address the shortage.( Dr Jo Farrar, chief executive, said: “We urgently need more O-group donors to come forward and help boost stocks to treat patients needing treatment.

“Last month we saw an incredible response from donors who answered our call and filled up our centres, helping us meet the increased demands for blood throughout June.

“However, seven weeks on, the need for O-negative blood in particular remains critical.( “We’re making an additional 1,000 appointments per week available, so please take a moment to go online and book.

“If you can’t find an appointment immediately, please book in for coming days, weeks and months.

“We will have an ongoing need for donations.”

Yorkshire Air Ambulance bosses also highlighted the severity of the situation.

Operations Manager, Paul Holmes, added:” The shortage of O-type blood is critical - as a service that provides lifesaving emergency care, we rely heavily on blood supplies to perform roadside transfusions for patients facing life-threatening injuries.

“Without adequate blood supplies, particularly O-negative which is universally compatible, our ability to carry blood on board could be compromised, jeopardising patient outcomes.

“Every donation has the potential to save a life.

“We strongly urge eligible donors to book appointments at their nearest donor centres immediately as your donation could indeed be the difference between life and death for someone in need.”

To supply hospitals with the 1.5 million units of blood they need to treat patients, appointments need to be close to fully booked all year round.

“We’re seeing an increased demand for blood and shortages of stock so it’s important that donors come forward for appointments,” Professor Stephen Powis, medical director of the NHS, said.( “With thanks to regular blood donors across the country, hospitals will continue to access stock when necessary and prioritise it for those who need it most.”( “Patients should also continue to come forward for care if they need it by using 999 in a life-threatening emergency or otherwise using 111 on the NHS app, online or by phone for other health concerns.”

For more information on how to donate, visit the NHS Blood and Transplant website.