NHS Blood and Transplant continues to need blood donations at the Birmingham donor centre.

Blood stocks are falling due to higher levels of staff and donor illness, mainly linked to the rise in coronavirus cases. Donations are also lower in the summer, when people are busy with holidays and events.

There are four days of blood in the Birmingham Stock Holding Unit - which supports the wider regional area, not just the city - whereas NHSBT normally looks to hold six days.

While many sessions held in community venues such as church halls are full, the larger blood donor centres in cities currently have many unfilled appointments. The Birmingham donor centre is only 56% full next week (w/c July 11). Stocks have fallen because hospitals are requesting more blood than is currently being donated.

The demand for blood is back to pre-pandemic levels as hospitals catch up on the backlog of routine activity that was postponed. Hospitals are still receiving all the blood they need but more donations are needed now, to ensure stocks do not fall further.

The blood types most in demand are O positive, O negative and B negative. Each blood donation can save or improve up to three lives. Blood is used to treat patients with cancer, blood disorders and those suffering medical trauma or undergoing surgery. Mark Chambers, NHSBT Assistant Director of Planning, said:

“We are still supplying hospitals with all the blood they need. However we need to stop the decline in blood stocks now.

“We urgently need more people to make appointments to give blood at our Birmingham Donor Centre. “If you are one of our amazing donors in Birmingham please make and keep an appointment.

“And if you have never donated before, now is a great time to make your first donation. You will be helping the NHS at an important time. Every appointment counts.”

Visit blood.co.uk, call 0300 123 23 23 or download the NHS Give Blood app