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NHS blood shortage is finally OVER… for now! Hospitals are told to stop cancelling ops as supplies bounce back – but health chiefs fear more chaos over winter
- NHS imposed an ‘amber alert’ after blood stocks fell below two-day threshold
- As a result, hospitals were forced to restrict the amount of blood they used
- But the health service today confirmed that supplies have now bounced back
The NHS has lifted its first ever blood supply shortage alert, which saw operations cancelled across England.
NHS Blood and Transplant last month imposed an ‘amber alert’ after national blood stocks fell below two days’ worth. As a result, hospitals were forced to restrict the amount of blood they used.
But the health service today confirmed that supplies have now bounced back to its target of six days’ supply.
NHS bosses said the amber alert was a ‘vital measure’ to save blood for those who needed it the most while stocks were low but hospitals can now ‘restock slowly’.
However, they warned that there may be more chaos over winter is ‘always a challenging time for blood stocks’ — as demand increases and supply drops.
The NHS bood supply ‘amber alert’ was in place from October 12 to November 8. It saw trusts told to implement emergency plans to protect their dwindling stocks
NHS Blood and Transplant triggered the amber alert on October 12. They said at the time that it would remain in place until at least November 9 — meaning it has been lifted a day earlier than expected.
While the alert was in place, hospitals were told to ‘protect blood stocks’.
This included postponing ‘non-urgent’ hip replacements for the four-week period and swapping the slots with hernia repairs, gall-bladder removal and eye surgery which don’t require blood on standby.
The health service continued to carry out urgent, emergency, cancer and transplant surgery and treated those with long-term conditions,
Officials insisted the crisis was solely down to staffing shortages and rising Covid rates, as opposed to a lack of donors.
Most donor sessions have been full since the crisis was revealed. But some were appointments cancelled at the last minute because of staff shortages.
In a desperate attempt to fix the issue, NHS staff in other roles were moved to the frontline to fill in on a temporary basis.
Wendy Clark, chief executive at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: ‘The Amber Alert was a vital measure to protect patients who need blood the most while supplies were low.
‘We have worked hard to quickly recover and secure blood stocks and I’m very grateful to our staff, donors and hospitals who have helped to ensure we can lift the alert as soon as possible.
‘We are asking hospitals to restock slowly and to order the right amount of blood they need for patients so we can make best use of our donors’ precious blood.
‘We need to continue to fill appointments so we can supply the blood every patient needs. We’ve seen an amazing response from our O+ and O- donors.
‘We now also need A+ donors to come forward. If you’re a first-time donor please book an appointment at one of our donor centres in the run up to Christmas or in the New Year.
‘Each blood donation can save or improve up to three lives.’