National Health Service appeals for urgent blood donations as stocks hit record lows in UK

By Merve Berker

The National Health Service (NHS) has issued an urgent appeal for O-type blood donations as stocks in the UK reach critical lows, following a combination of unfilled appointments and increased demand after a cyberattack, media reports said Thursday.

Officials attribute the shortage to a "perfect storm" of unfilled appointments at donor centers and increased demand caused by a recent cyberattack affecting services in London, according to the BBC.

O-negative blood, known as the universal blood type, is particularly needed as it is safe for all patients and used in emergencies when a patient's blood type is unknown.

The NHS issued an amber alert urging hospitals to limit O-type blood use to essential cases and to use alternatives when safe.

Dr. Jo Farrar, chief executive of the NHS Blood and Transplant division, highlighted the critical need for O-negative blood despite an earlier successful appeal.

"Seven weeks on, the need for O-negative blood in particular remains critical," she said.

National stocks of O-negative blood are currently at just 1.6 days, far below the six-day target.

The shortage is partly due to a ransomware attack against the pathology firm Synnovis in June, which slowed blood-type compatibility checks at major hospitals like King's College Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas' in London.

That forced doctors to use universal O-type blood, depleting stocks.

The summer has also seen a dip in donations as regular donors travel abroad and hot weather affects donor hydration and iron levels.

The Blood and Transplant unit is urging O-negative and O-positive donors to book appointments urgently.

The amber alert triggered contingency plans to restrict O-type blood use to essential cases and expedite blood-type checks.

Despite the shortage, hospitals can continue performing urgent, emergency, trauma, cancer and transplant surgeries, and provide transfusions for long-term conditions.

O-type blood is crucial as it can be safely given to any patient without triggering an immune response, making it vital for emergency services.

The NHS emphasized the importance of regular blood donations to maintain adequate supplies and meet the demand for life-saving blood transfusions.