Appeal for blood donations in Norfolk as NHS capacity returns to normal
The NHS say the summer months are crucial, as capacity starts to get back to normal.
Blood donors in Norfolk are being urged by the NHS to make an appointment to donate blood.
They say the summer months are crucial as demand for blood creeps back to normal capacity.
Extra appointments have been added at mobile blood donor sessions in Norwich this summer to help meet this rise in demand.
Amy Rowley, is head of Donor Marketing Operations in the East at NHS Blood and Transplant: “Demand for blood has gone up a lot, because like the rest of the country The NHS is starting to return to normal.
"As hospital capacity is increasing, important surgeries and Cancer services that have been put off by the pandemic are beginning to take place again. This is why NHS blood and transplant really needs your help to keep blood stocks strong"
"Blood donations help ensure that patients all over the country continue to get the life saving blood they need. Everything from emergency situations to childbirth surgery cancer treatment and to treat a huge range of medical conditions."
Right now there is a particular need for more donors with certain blood types, though all types remain in demand. O negative donors – the universal blood type (1) – are the lifeblood of the emergency services and donations are always needed.
B negative is one of the rarest blood types (2). It is hard to find donors with this blood type, so donors with this type are needed to keep stocks up and help patients.
“Every donation you give, can save or improve the lives of up to three people."
"We’ve had an absolutely amazing response from the people in Norwich during the pandemic in fact in the last 12 months, donors in Norwich have given nearly 10,000 units of blood to help patients all over the country.”
The NHS has been writing to registered donors in the area who don’t currently have an appointment booked urging them to make a donation.
People who've had the same sexual partner for the last three months, assuming other eligibility criteria is met, will also now be able to donate following a recent rule change. It means that some of those previously unable to donate, such as some members of the LGBT+ community, will now be able to get involved.