NHS appeals for South West donors with rare blood type
Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
The NHS is urging people across the South West with the rare B negative blood type to donate as national supplies fall to one of the lowest levels seen in recent years.
A total of 1,497 B negative donors in the region are currently eligible to give blood but have not yet booked appointments, according to NHS Blood and Transplant. The service has issued a direct appeal, warning that a shortage of this rare type is placing pressure on the wider blood supply system.
Only around two per cent of the population have B negative blood. Patients with this type can only receive blood from B negative or O negative donors, meaning that a drop in supply can affect not only routine care but also emergency stock levels.
The number of active B negative donors has dropped by more than 1,000 since 2023, with fewer than 20,000 people nationwide currently giving this blood type regularly.
“B negative donors are immensely important to our lifesaving work but as one of the rarest blood types, it can be a challenge to always collect enough,” said Gerry Gogarty, Director of Blood Supply at NHS Blood and Transplant.
“Right now B negative stocks are at risk of running low. With a blood type this rare, just a slight rise in hospital demand or one or two patients suddenly requiring a high number of units, can put significant extra pressure on supplies.
“We urgently need existing B negative donors to make an appointment to donate and more people with this blood type to become regular donors and help secure the life-saving supply of blood to patients in the weeks, months and years ahead.
“If you are a B negative donor and can’t find an appointment at a session near you, please call us and we will do what we can to make one available for you. If you have never given blood before and believe you are B negative please sign up and book an appointment today.”
The NHS is also asking family members of known B negative donors to come forward, as they are around 30 per cent more likely to share the same blood type.
Hospitals in England require over 5,000 blood donations each day to treat patients for a wide range of conditions, including cancer, blood disorders, traumatic injuries and complications during childbirth.
As well as B negative, there is continued demand for donors with O negative and RO blood types.
Each blood donation takes around an hour and can save up to three lives. Men can give blood every 12 weeks and women every 16.
To register or book an appointment, visit www.blood.co.uk, use the GiveBlood app or call 0300 123 23 23.
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