In a warning issued by the UK's National Health Service Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), it was noted that following a cyberattack affecting services in the capital, London, appointments at donor centers have remained vacant and the demand for blood has increased significantly.
NHSBT officials also requested that hospitals "limit the use of O Rh type blood to essential cases" or "use alternative blood" where it is safe to do so.
REMAINS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT
NHS Blood and Transplant Chief Executive Dr. Jo Farrar noted that blood donations had increased significantly following the call made last month, stating, "However, even though 7 weeks have passed, the need for O Rh negative (O Rh-) blood in particular remains critically important."
The latest data from NHSBT showed that national O Rh- stocks in England are well below the 6-day target, with only about 1.5 days of supply remaining.
Health officials have called on O Rh- and O Rh+ blood donors to urgently book an appointment at a donation center and donate blood.
News Source: AA
