NHS appeals for blood donors to help boost December stocks before bad weather onset

AN appeal for blood donors of O Rh negative (O-) and B Rh negative (B-) groups to give blood in the run up to Christmas, has been made by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT).

With the probable onset of bad weather, NHSBT wants to boost stocks of these groups now to ensure stocks are maintained at a constant level for January.

Jon Latham, assistant director for Marketing and Donor Contact Service at NHSBT, said: “We would like to reassure everyone that blood stocks are not low and patient care has not been affected in any way.”

Blood from O- donors can be given to patients with a different blood group.

Potential donors must be 17 - 65, weigh over 50kg and be in general good health. Call (0300) 1232323 or view www.blood.co.uk online.