Holiday periods such as Easter and the spring bank holidays are usually the most difficult for the NHS Blood and Transplant service

Blood donors in London are being urged to fill available appointments over Easter and into April and May, by booking and sticking to their appointments at the city’s donor centres.

Blood stocks are more likely to drop around public holidays like Easter and May bank holidays when people take leave from work, go on holiday or enjoy days out and don’t donate. Making and keeping to their appointment during these coming weeks will help keep blood stocks stable over this bank holiday period.

If donors need to cancel, they are asked to please give as much notice as possible so someone else can take the slot.

Right now there is a particular need for donors with O-negative blood type, used for patients receiving emergency transfusions, though all types remain in demand.

Blood is needed to treat patients with cancer, blood disorders and those suffering medical trauma or undergoing surgery. Each donation can save or improve up to three lives.

Existing donors who are eligible to donate are being urged to make and keep an appointment at one of the capital’s donor centres. There are currently a combined 4,225 spare slots over the next fortnight and many more in the coming weeks.

Mark Chambers, director of donor experience at NHS Blood and Transplant, says: “As we enter the Easter and spring bank holiday period it is vital that we continue to collect enough blood to meet hospital demand. We need our incredible donors in London to step up this Easter, especially if they have the O neg blood group, to make and keep an appointment for the next few weeks or re-schedule if they can’t attend.”

Existing donors and those who have donated in the past are more likely to be able to donate successfully and their blood types are known, so during these busy holiday periods they are key to ensuring the right volume and mix of blood and blood products, however new donors – especially those with O negative blood type – are encouraged to come forward too.

Register and book an appointment at blood.co.uk, on the GiveBloodNHS app or call 0300 123 23 23.

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