NHS Blood and Transplant urges 1 million to donate blood and stabilise supply

NHS Blood and Transplant has called on 1 million citizens in England to donate blood this week in order to help stabilise the nation’s blood supply.

 

In a recent press release, NHSBT said its analysis revealed an annual shortfall of over 200,000 donors that is needed to meet the growing demand. 

 

“Just two per cent of the population is keeping the nation’s blood stocks afloat, so the NHS is asking more people to sign up to give blood and help create the country’s largest volunteering force.

 

“More than 5,000 donations are needed every day – around 1.8 million donations a year - with more than one million active donors required to help maintain a safe and reliable blood supply,” NHSBT said.

 

The shortfall began in July 2024, when a major ransomware attack severely disrupted several hospitals in London, including Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and other primary care providers across southeast London.

 

Pathology services at these hospitals were down for several days, leading to an increased demand for O-type blood, as healthcare providers were unable to match patients’ blood types.

 

NHSBT had urgently called on O negative and O positive donors to book appointments at donor centres, and has now confirmed a significant surge in blood donation registrations, including the largest-ever increase from Black heritage communities.

 

“However, only 1 in 4 (24 per cent) have gone on to donate, with a quarter of a million people who signed up to give blood yet to roll up their sleeves to make a lifesaving donation.

 

“Right now, there is a critical need for O negative donors – the universal blood type needed for emergencies – and for more donors of Black heritage, who are significantly more likely to have the specific blood types needed to treat sickle cell disease,” NHSBT added.

 

Dr Jo Farrar, Chief Executive of NHSBT, described blood supplies over the past year as ‘challenging’. She expressed her gratitude to the remarkable 2% of the population who help keep the nation’s blood flowing, while urging others to be ’one in a million’ by becoming regular blood donors.