Appeal for blood donors after UK heatwaves impact supply
- NHS Blood and Transplant has issued an urgent appeal for donors after blood stocks were hit by a combination of hot weather, summer holidays, and high hospital demand.
- Heatwaves reduce donation rates by up to 10 per cent due to donor dehydration and lower iron levels, while simultaneously increasing the blood volumes required by patients.
- Health officials are particularly calling for donors with B negative, O negative, and Ro subtype blood, as well as donors of Black heritage, to make appointments.
- Blood supply organisations in England, Canada, and Australia have united for a joint appeal, revealing that supplies across the three nations have dropped by up to 30 per cent recently.
- NHSBT is aiming to fill 60,000 summer appointments to rebuild national stocks and ensure the system can withstand seasonal disruptions.
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