NHS urges blood donors in Nottinghamshire to book and keep appointments to help save lives this Christmas

Donors are being asked to give the gift of blood this Christmas and make sure every appointment turns into a vital lifesaving donation.

The NHS is appealing for people to help over the challenging winter period by booking and sticking to their donation appointments, as the season is a challenge for blood stocks with cold weather, seasonal illnesses, and busier diaries.

The only two days of the year that blood donations are not collected are Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, with appointments available on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

In the three weeks over last Christmas and new year, hospitals needed 1,000 more units of blood than the NHS was able to collect in the same period. This did not affect the supply of lifesaving blood to patients.

Mark Chambers, Director of Donor Experience at NHS Blood and Transplant said: “We’re encouraging all of our amazing blood donors in Nottingham to please book and keep their appointments and help us save lives this Christmas.

“Demand for lifesaving blood doesn’t stop for Christmas. Many patients will need transfusions over the festive period as treatment for a blood condition or cancer, or due to surgery, childbirth, or an accident.

“We’d also love to welcome anyone giving blood for the first time. If you don’t know your blood type you will find out after donating — you might find out you have the type patients especially need.

“It only takes an hour to give blood and each donation can help save or improve up to three lives.”

Nottingham donor centre at Trinity Square has around 100 appointments free over the next two weeks and more in the following weeks.

The centre building is currently undergoing works, but the doors are still open to donors.

Donors are being asked to make an appointment to donate over the Christmas and New Year period if they don’t already have one, and to keep their appointment if they have already made one. The NHS asks that if there is a need to cancel, donors give as much notice as possible so someone else can take the slot.

People can register and book an appointment at blood.co.uk on the GiveBloodNHS app or on 0300 123 23 23.

People who have registered as a donor but not yet made an appointment to give blood are also encouraged to take that next step and make their first donation.

Blood is needed to help the NHS treat patients with cancer, blood disorders and those suffering medical trauma or undergoing surgery.