There are over 5,000 appointments left to fill across London donor centres in the next two weeks, amid unprecedented low levels of blood in the NHS system

The NHS has appealed for blood donors in London to come forward after a “perfect storm” of increased demand of O type blood in the wake of the cyber attack and unfilled donor appointments.

An ‘amber alert’ has been triggered by NHS Blood and Transplant who have asked hospitals to restrict the use of O type blood to essential cases and use substitutions where clinically safe to do so. 

There are over 5,000 appointments left to fill across London donor centres in the next two weeks, amid unprecedented low levels of blood in the NHS system.

Hospitals are especially in need of O negative blood in the wake of the ongoing cyber incident. It is in demand because it is a type that can be given to anyone and is used in emergencies or when a patient’s blood type is unknown. Air ambulances and emergency response vehicles carry O negative supplies. Just 8% of the population have type O Negative but it makes up for around 16% of hospital orders.  

Since the start of the cyber incident in June, those hospitals have needed an additional 1.7 days of O negative – a 94% increase compared to the same period last year. The increased need necessitates 170 additional O negative donations every week. 

Issuing an appeal for donors, NHS Blood and Transplant’s chief executive, Dr Jo Farrar, said:  “We urgently need more O group donors in London to come forward and help boost stocks to treat patients needing treatment. 

“Last month we saw an incredible response from donors who answered our call and filled up our centres, helping us meet the increased demands for blood throughout June. However, seven weeks on, the need for O negative blood in particular remains critical.”   

She added: “We’re making an additional 1000 appointments per week available, please take a moment to go online and book. If you can’t find an appointment immediately, please book in for coming days, weeks and months. We will have an ongoing need for donations. Thank you everyone for your support.”

Register today and book an appointment to donate via the GiveBloodNHS app or at www.blood.co.uk 

No news is bad news 

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts. 

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less. 

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation. 

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit 

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month.  £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.

More information on supporting us monthly or annually 

More Information about donations