Overview
- NHS Blood and Transplant has launched targeted appeals and priority booking for existing B negative donors after warning supplies are under pressure.
- In London, more than 2,000 appointments are available this week, with walk-ins accepted at permanent donor centres across the capital.
- Manchester has 399 unbooked slots this week but only 266 known local B negative donors without appointments, underscoring a shortfall.
- Birmingham reports 284 open slots at the New Street donor centre versus 181 existing local donors without bookings, prompting a push for new donors.
- About 2% of people have B negative and low stocks also strain O negative reserves, while hospitals require over 5,000 donations a day for treatments including trauma, cancer care, sickle cell and childbirth.