'urgent' nhs plea for blood donors in newcastle to come forward

BLOOD DONORS WHO HAVEN'T DONATED IN A WHILE SHOULD CONSIDER MAKING AN APPOINTMENT, HEALTH BOSSES SAID. 05:00, 30 May 2025 NHS bosses have made an urgent plea to "missing"

blood donors to come forward as life-saving stocks of one blood type are "critically low". The so-called missing donors have not given blood for more than a year. The NHS Blood and

Transplant agency has revealed that data shows there are 2,420 people with the vital O negative blood type who have not given a blood donation for more than year. O negative is a hugely

sought after blood type - as it is the "universal donor" type and capable of being given safely to anyone in an emergency. The NHS bosses said that factors including the number of

recent Bank Holidays and the fact that Easter and half-term have fallen so close together had contributd to the issue. People are urged to consider making an appointment at one of the

NHS's fixed donor centres - such as on Barrack Road in Newcastle. England as a whole is on an Amber alert level due to low stocks of type-O blood. Gerry Gogarty, Director of Blood

Supply for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Our ‘missing’ O negative donors in the North East have the power to relieve the pressure on supplies of this vital blood type. If you are O

negative and haven’t given blood in a while, please book an appointment to donate today. Don’t hesitate - patients need you now. Health reporter Sam Volpe gives blood for the first time

Article continues below "Our fixed donor centres generally have the best availability. If you can’t find an appointment straight away please book further ahead or keep checking back to

help fill last minute appointments or cancellations. Every donation makes a critical difference." Health bosses said the Newcastle city centre donor centre had good availablity and

donors were especially needed for quiet weekday morning slots. You can use NHSBT's daily appointment tracker to keep an eye on where you might be able to make an immediate appointment.

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England's hospitals require more than 5,000 blood donations to ensure they have the blood they need to save lives. This could be for people who have suffered tramatic injuries or

accidents, are undergoing cancer treatment or even giving birth. Blood is also vital to help support those with blood-related illnesses such as sickle cell. But blood can only be kept on the

shelf for 35 days, so stocks must be constantly replenished. A donation takes just an hour and can save three lives, the NHS says. Men can do so every three months, and women every four

months. Article continues below You can book an appointment today at www.blood.co.uk, use the GiveBlood app or call 0300 123 23 23.