Bolton residents have been urged to keep blood donation appointments, after NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) declared their first-ever amber alert today.

Hospitals nationally, have been told to implement plans to protect their stocks, meaning non-urgent operations requiring blood could be postponed to ensure they are prioritised for patients who need them most.

Bolton in particular has performed really well in terms of running enough blood donation sessions with spaces always taken up..

But the biggest challenge for NHSBT is running enough blood donation sessions, which is why they are urging people to keep their appointments.

A spokesperson for NHSBT said: “Our sessions in the Bolton area are currently mostly full.

“Our main challenge is running enough blood donation sessions.

“So rather than a general appeal to the public, we're asking donors to please keep their appointments if they have them.

 

“Also, if people can’t get an appointment immediately, it is ok to book in for the coming weeks and months.

“We need to ensure donors keep donating and filling all appointments available.

“We also encourage people to keep checking for any cancellations and last-minute availability.”

What you should know before donating blood

Former midwife and Bolton Council's Executive Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Cllr Susan Baines says that when an alert is issued that it is usually for a period of about a month, and it is usually hoped that stocks will then be replenished by then.

She said: “Donating blood is really important, so if you can please do.

“Blood can only be stored for a maximum of about 35 days before it goes off.

“That’s why we need a constant supply.

“You can donate up to four times a year, with a break of 12 weeks in between each one.”

She also explained that when people donate that their body makes it up quite quickly, using approximately 470ml that’s taken, which is around a pint.

Cllr Baines added: “It only takes about an hour from start to finish.

“O positive and o negative - the universal blood type – are wanted the most.

“O negative is the type of blood that has the lowest risk of causing serious reactions for most people, for those who need it.

“The is because it has no surface antigens which causes allergies.

“O negative blood can be given to anyone in an emergency.”

It is vitally important during emergencies and when the blood type of the recipient is unknown.

Anyone interested in donating blood shouldn’t smoke or drink beforehand.

Alcohol should be avoided due to hydration levels being affected because of almost half the blood being donated being made up of water.

Donors should be in good general health and shouldn’t give blood if they have an infection or are unwell with the flu for example.

Anyone with a lung condition, Hepatitis C or B, or Aids, pregnant, or recently had an operation shouldn’t give blood until safe to do so.

Despite someone who smokes or vapes not being disqualified from donating blood, the ingredients can contain harmful chemicals, which could affect a person’s blood.

Anyone from the age of 17-65 can donate blood, but not before or after this age group.

A spokeswoman for NHSBT said current overall blood stocks in the NHS stand at 3.1 days but levels of O type blood have fallen to below two days.

O negative blood is the universal blood type which can be given to everyone.

To book an appointment and to find the nearest place to give blood, click here (nhs.queue-it.net).

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