NHS 200,000 needs more regular Blood Donators to maintain a safe and adequate supply.
Low blood stock Inspired a “Amber Alert” in 2024, but Blood stocks remain less since.
NHS blood and transplantation (NHSBT) is now urging More people to donate To avoid “red alert”, which is an important situation where public safety is threatened.
It described the previous year as “challenging” for blood stock, given that only less than 800,000 people are supporting the entire blood supply in England.
How do I donate blood?
The entire process of giving blood takes just one hour. On reaching the blood donation center, you are asked to complete a safety check to ensure that you can give blood.
You will be given 500 ml fluid for drinking – drinking it will help the body to maintain blood pressure, dizziness and fill the body donated again.
Then, to ensure that blood donation is safe, Medics will confirm your identity and information in your health checkup. In some cases, a registered nurse will follow.
A drop of blood from your finger is then tested for iron levels. If these levels are very low, the appointment will be re -determined.
People capable of donating will be sitting in the waiting area before being called on the donation chair.
Here, a cuff will be placed on your arm to maintain a small amount of pressure during donations before a suitable vein is found and the area is cleaned.
Then, a needle will be inserted into your hand to collect your blood in a blood bag, on which your unique donor number is.
A scale weighs blood and stops when you have donated 470ml – it is just under a pint.
The needle is then removed from your arm, and a dressing is applied.
NHS says that the blood giving process should not hurt and take only 10 minutes.
Who can donate blood?
Although more donors are required, some are due to health, travel and lifestyle that can prevent you from donating blood.
Donors fit and well, aged between 17 and 65, 7 stones need to weigh between 12 IBS (50 kg) and 25 stones (158 kg) and are appropriate veins.
However, if you have done positive tests for cancer, some heart conditions, or are hepatitis B or C carriers, you cannot donate blood.
If you have received blood platelets, plasma or any other blood products after January 1980, or if you have injected non-determined drugs including body-building and injected tanning agents, you cannot even donate.
If you have had anal sex with a new partner in the last three months, you may have to postpone your donation.
If you feel unhealthy, pregnant or have a child in the last six months, there is a tattoo or piercing, or recently traveled to some countries outside the UK, you may have to wait even before donating blood.
Where can I donate blood?
There are thousands of blood donation sites all over England, some are permanent and others are pop-ups.
Church halls, sports centers, mosques, football stadiums and hotels are all used as pop-up locations.
To check where your nearest Give blood website,
What type of blood is required?
There is a “important” requirement for more donors, who have so -called universal blood type, O negative blood, which is necessary for treatment in emergency state.
NHS said that more black donors are also required, which are more likely to have specific blood types that can help treat people. sickle cell disease,
