More than 3,500 new blood donors needed in Somerset to meet demand
A new five-year Blood Strategy has been published, focusing on increasing the number and diversity of donors
NHS Blood and Transplant are urging people in Somerset to give blood, as new targets reveal 3,512 new donors are needed in the county to save lives over the next year.
Nationally one million more blood donors are needed over the next five years to ensure patients receive the right type of blood to save and improve their lives.
The five-year Blood Service Strategy, published at the start of National Blood Week, sets out plans to recruit up to a million new donors and double the number of regular donors with the rarest blood types.
It is hoped this will ensure better matched blood types for patients in the future and reduce health inequalities.
There is a particular urgency for more donors of Black African and Black Caribbean ethnicity to treat people with sickle cell.
Sickle cell is the fastest growing genetic blood disorder in the UK and mostly affects people of Black heritage.
It requires regular transfusions – most often with the specific blood sub type Ro. Most patients are children, and demand for Ro blood is projected to double from 2016/17 – 2025/26.
55% percent of Black blood donors have the Ro subtype compared to 2.4% of donors from other ethnicities.
Stephen Cornes, Director of Blood Supply at NHS Blood and Transplant said: "Currently we can only meet around half of the demand for Ro blood through our existing donor base and demand for this rare blood type is rising.
"This means many sickle cell patients often receive less well-matched blood which, while clinically suitable, can pose a longer-term risk to patients who receive regular transfusions.
"We urgently need new Black African and Black Caribbean donors to come forward and donate blood.
"In addition to the rarest blood types, we also need 1 million new donors over the next five years of all blood types. As the NHS treats more patients, we need to grow the total number of donors too.
"We carefully manage stocks to ensure we do not waste any precious blood. If you cannot get an appointment immediately it is because we have enough of your blood type right now. Please book for a later date or respond when we contact you."
A mass public campaign is being held this National Blood Week and throughout June to identify people with most needed blood types.
Young people and those of Black African or Black Caribbean heritage are being urged by the NHS to find out their blood type, by making their first donation at one of the many events being held at Blood Donor Centres in England.
Dr Bola Owolabi, Director – Health Inequalities at NHS England, said: "A shortage of blood donation from people of a Black heritage often means that some patients don’t receive the best blood-type match and are therefore at risk of serious complications.
"Tackling healthcare inequalities is one of the NHS' top priorities and increasing the number of Black African and Black Caribbean blood donors is crucial in improving outcomes for sickle cell patients especially.
"I would urge anyone who is able to give blood to come forward as soon as possible – you are vital in saving the lives of your neighbours, friends and communities who are battling this disease."
Attend a What’s Your Blood Type event or register today and book an appointment by visiting blood.co.uk, downloading the GiveBloodNHS app or by calling 0300 123 23 23.