Urgent plea for blood donors as blood stocks fall to ‘vulnerable’ levels

"We urgently need more people to book appointments."

NHS Blood and Transplant are urgently appealing for people to make an appointment to donate at Leicester Donor Centre because stock levels have dropped.

Stocks have been affected by staff and donor absence due to illness and donations also fall during the summer months.

 An NHS Blood and Transplant spokesperson said: “We currently have blood to meet demand but stocks have dropped and we need to stop them falling further - now. We urgently need more people to book appointments.

 “If you are one of our amazing donors in Leicester, or you want to donate for the first time, please make and keep an appointment for the next few days or weeks."

The Leicester donor centre is only 38% full for next week and only around 34% full the following week.

The lowest bloodstock is for O positive and so donors of this type are particularly needed.

Demand for blood has risen as hospitals catch up on the backlog of routine activity postponed due to the pandemic. 

Each blood donation can save or improve up to three lives. Blood is used to treat patients with cancer, blood disorders and those suffering medical trauma or undergoing surgery