Olympics prompt plea for extra blood donations

The NHS says it needs 30 per cent more blood than normal during the diamond jubilee, Olympics and Paralympics to ensure there is sufficient to cope with the expected extra demand.

It faces a double challenge, with more than 1.2 million more people and 15,000 athletes expected in the UK at a time when blood donations traditionally decline because of the number of sporting and jubilee distractions.

The NHS Blood and Transplant service (NHSBT) says all types of blood are required, but it is keen to encourage donations from black people and those from ethnic minorities (BME) to ensure there are sufficient stocks of blood from groups less common in the UK.

Type O blood is the most common – and consequently most in demand – in the UK, and the NHS is aiming to increase stocks of O+ by 52 per cent.

It is also aiming to raise supplies of the rarer O-, which is regarded as the universal type, often used in emergencies, and B- by 43 per cent and 14 per cent respectively.

But the UK also has much less of type B+ and AB+ in particular, compared with global averages, and requires additional donations from ethnic groups of these blood types.

Mix of stocks

NHSBT spokesman Jon Latham said: “We need to adjust the mix of stocks so we are prepared for overseas visitors as well, so we are well prepared as a responsible host for these exciting events.”

The service has launched a campaign urging regular donors and first-time contributors to give blood to ensure increased stocks over a prolonged period during the summer.

But it warns that it needs a steady stream of donations because it cannot be stockpiled for more than a month.

Red blood cells are usable for about 35 days and platelets – which aid coagulation – seven.

The Queen’s Jubilee celebrations peak over the long weekend of 2-5 June, and are followed by the Euro 2012 football championships in June and early July, and then the Olympics and Paralympics in July, August and September.

The NHS says the 30 per cent increase is a target to ensure supplies are safeguarded, and it needs to have those enhanced levels by the start of the Olympics, maintaining them for the duration of the Games.

Mr Latham pointed out that even major sporting events not happening in England and Wales can cause blood supplies to drop, as people are thrown out of their normal routines to fit in television viewing and forget, or decide not to donate.

“During the 2006 World Cup there was a 20 per cent drop in our collections, so we are being as conservative as possible to ensure that we can cope with any situation,” he said.

The service is confident it has sufficient staff to cope with any rise in donations, and is planning to increase opening hours to make it easier for people to give their blood.

The NHSBT needs 7,000 donations every day for normal contingencies. “So an extra 30 per cent is quite a demanding level,” said Mr Latham.