Scotland issues amber alert for blood donation shortages

Hospitals restrict non-essential O-type use

The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service sent warnings to hospitals urging staff to reserve Type O blood for essential cases only. This measure follows a situation where Group O supplies have recently fallen below two days of reserves on several occasions. The service aims to maintain a supply of five to seven days for all blood groups but currently struggles to meet this target. Emergency operations, transplants and cancer surgeries will continue as normal despite the restrictions on non-essential usage.

Donor numbers fall by twenty-four percent

Over the past decade the number of registered donors has dropped by 24 percent which equals about 30,000 people leaving the register. Currently only 2 percent of Scotland's population is signed up to give blood with most donating just once a year. Hospitals require approximately 135,000 units annually yet appointments at five national centres are filled on average by just 85 percent of available slots.

Recruitment efforts target younger people

Director Debbie McNaughton stated that attracting younger donors is particularly difficult as the service needs fully booked appointments all year round to meet demand. She urged anyone aged 17 or over who is healthy to sign up to the donor register immediately. The alert will remain in force for an initial period of four to six weeks before being reviewed closely.