Blood stocks have fallen to unprecedented levels following the “perfect storm” of a cyber attack and missed appointments at donation centres.
The NHS Blood and Transplant Service has written to hospitals issuing an “Amber Alert” asking them to restrict the use of type O blood to essential cases only and use substitutes where it is clinically safe to do so.
This alert details how there is only enough national supply of O Negative blood type for 1.6 days and the national supply of blood of all types is 4.3 days.
Hospitals will continue to perform urgent and emergency trauma surgeries, oncology surgeries, transplant surgeries and blood transfusions to treat people with chronic diseases.
This follows a recent cyberattack in which a Russian hacking gang called Qilin targeted a major laboratory services provider and demanded a $50 million ransom, affecting hospitals in London.
There is only enough national reserve of O Negative blood type for 1.6 days and the national reserve of blood of all types is 4.3 days.
The company, which was hit by the June attack, analyses blood, urine and tissue samples for some hospitals and GP surgeries.
The NHS admitted that among the 814 procedures cancelled following the attack were urgent cancer operations and transplants.
Bosses feared a full recovery would take months and more cancellations were likely as labs can only operate at 10 per cent of normal capacity.
However, blood shortages are also due to reduced collections due to high levels of unfilled appointments at donation centres in urban and city centres.
On average, there are around 50,000 appointments to be filled each week. There are still more than 12,000 appointments to be filled at donor centres over the next two weeks.
The NHS has admitted that among the 814 procedures cancelled following the attack were urgent cancer operations and transplants
The group, called Qilin, has claimed responsibility for the June 4 cyberattack on Synnovis and is demanding payment to unlock affected computers.
People with O negative and O positive blood have been asked to urgently book and complete appointments at donation centres.
Type O negative, known as the universal blood type, is the type that can be passed on to anyone.
It is used in emergency situations or when the patient’s blood type is unknown. Air ambulances and emergency response vehicles carry supplies of O negative blood.
Only 8 percent of the population has type O Negative, but it accounts for around 16 percent of hospital visits.
The NHS is making an extra 1,000 appointments per week for blood donations and is urging people to donate in the coming days and weeks.
“We urgently need more Type O donors to come forward and help boost the supply to treat patients in need,” said Dr Jo Farrar, chief executive of NHSBT.
She added: ‘Last month we saw an incredible response from donors who answered our call and filled our centres, helping us meet the increased demands for blood during June.
‘However, seven weeks later, the need for O-negative blood in particular remains critical.’
NHSBT medical director Dr Gail Miflin said hospitals need up to three blood donations a minute to cope with emergencies, births and routine treatments.
She said: ‘Blood only has a shelf life of 35 days, so the NHS needs blood all year round.
‘There are almost 800,000 regular blood donors, of which 108,000 are O Negative.
‘Ultimately, we need more people to become regular blood donors and come to one of our 25 donation centers.
‘Women can donate once every four months and men once every three months.’
Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director for NHS England, said: ‘We are seeing increased demand for blood and stock shortages so it is important that donors keep their appointments.
‘Thanks to regular blood donors across the country, hospitals will continue to access stocks when needed and prioritise them for those who need them most.
‘Patients should also continue to seek medical care if they need it, using 999 in a life-threatening emergency or using 111 on the NHS app, online or by phone for other health issues.’