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Thousands of blood donors turned away by NHS as staff are too busy Thousands of blood donors turned away by NHS as staff are too busy
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The NHS has turned away thousands of potential blood donors because staff are too busy, despite complaining of a 40% slump in people coming forward and a potential shortage of future stocks.The NHS has turned away thousands of potential blood donors because staff are too busy, despite complaining of a 40% slump in people coming forward and a potential shortage of future stocks.
The health service’s blood and transplant unit revealed, after a freedom of information request, that 1,986 people complained they had been turned away from walk-in sessions in the year 2013-14; a similar number (1,949) said they did not have their blood taken even when they had made an appointment.The health service’s blood and transplant unit revealed, after a freedom of information request, that 1,986 people complained they had been turned away from walk-in sessions in the year 2013-14; a similar number (1,949) said they did not have their blood taken even when they had made an appointment.
Related: Sharp drop in number of new blood donors puts UK stocks at riskRelated: Sharp drop in number of new blood donors puts UK stocks at risk
In total, 6,798 people complained to the NHS about not being able to give blood, including about the lack of appointment slots and cancellation of sessions, in the 12 months to June 2014.In total, 6,798 people complained to the NHS about not being able to give blood, including about the lack of appointment slots and cancellation of sessions, in the 12 months to June 2014.
The figures emerged after a Freedom of Information Act request prompted by Emma Hayes, a regular donor from Brighton, who reported concerns at the number of people being turned away.The figures emerged after a Freedom of Information Act request prompted by Emma Hayes, a regular donor from Brighton, who reported concerns at the number of people being turned away.
Hayes said being turned away meant she has considered giving up donating. “It is soul destroying trying to donate to an organisation that simply doesn’t want what you are giving,” she said. “And even though, at this stage, I am still donating, I am certainly not achieving the number of possible donations that I would be able to – and wish to – and used to be able to provide.Hayes said being turned away meant she has considered giving up donating. “It is soul destroying trying to donate to an organisation that simply doesn’t want what you are giving,” she said. “And even though, at this stage, I am still donating, I am certainly not achieving the number of possible donations that I would be able to – and wish to – and used to be able to provide.
“I would love to know why the donation service sees fit to waste the resource that they have (ie a dedicated donor base), for the sake of saving a bit of money, while spending big on chasing theoretical new donors through continual national and local advertising.”“I would love to know why the donation service sees fit to waste the resource that they have (ie a dedicated donor base), for the sake of saving a bit of money, while spending big on chasing theoretical new donors through continual national and local advertising.”
This summer the NHS reported a “stark reduction” in the number of new people donating blood and warned that if the trend continued it could lead to serious shortages.This summer the NHS reported a “stark reduction” in the number of new people donating blood and warned that if the trend continued it could lead to serious shortages.
Speaking in June, Jon Latham, assistant director at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “If we don’t attract new people across England and north Wales to donate it will put more pressure on the ability to provide the right type of blood the NHS needs for patients in the future.”Speaking in June, Jon Latham, assistant director at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “If we don’t attract new people across England and north Wales to donate it will put more pressure on the ability to provide the right type of blood the NHS needs for patients in the future.”
Related: Bring back altruism. Our blood banks depend on it | Polly ToynbeeRelated: Bring back altruism. Our blood banks depend on it | Polly Toynbee
Some 120,000 fewer people donated blood in 2014-15 compared with a decade earlier. The NHS estimates that this year 204,000 new volunteers are needed to ensure the nation’s blood stocks remain at a safe level in the future. The blood and transplant unit has launched advertising campaigns in Odeon cinemas, in Waterstones bookshops and with Green & Black’s chocolate.Some 120,000 fewer people donated blood in 2014-15 compared with a decade earlier. The NHS estimates that this year 204,000 new volunteers are needed to ensure the nation’s blood stocks remain at a safe level in the future. The blood and transplant unit has launched advertising campaigns in Odeon cinemas, in Waterstones bookshops and with Green & Black’s chocolate.
Latham said busier lives and longer commutes had reduced attendance at blood banks. Increased travel to tropical climates and more people having tattoos also increased the number of short-term deferrals from donation.Latham said busier lives and longer commutes had reduced attendance at blood banks. Increased travel to tropical climates and more people having tattoos also increased the number of short-term deferrals from donation.
NHS Blood and Transplant has apologised for not meeting donors’ expectations. Latham said while it needed new donors to guarantee the longer-term supply of blood, there had recently been a decline in demand for blood, although it might be temporary. The service has made savings by visiting some donation points less frequently, changing session times or asking people to donate elsewhere.NHS Blood and Transplant has apologised for not meeting donors’ expectations. Latham said while it needed new donors to guarantee the longer-term supply of blood, there had recently been a decline in demand for blood, although it might be temporary. The service has made savings by visiting some donation points less frequently, changing session times or asking people to donate elsewhere.
Latham said: “We offer a variety of appointment and walk-in slots to try to accommodate all donors, however we can’t predict how many donors will walk-in on the day. This means we can’t guarantee there will always be space to accommodate them or they may need to wait a little longer. Latham said: “We offer a variety of appointment and walk-in slots to try to accommodate all donors, however we can’t predict how many donors will walk in on the day. This means we can’t guarantee there will always be space to accommodate them or they may need to wait a little longer.
“When someone has pre-booked an appointment, we always aim to see them within an hour of their appointment time as we know people lead very busy lives. We hope donors understand that it’s important we continue to collect blood efficiently and effectively in line with what hospitals need. Hospitals can use money they save, through us being efficient and keeping the blood price low, on frontline services.” “When someone has prebooked an appointment, we always aim to see them within an hour of their appointment time as we know people lead very busy lives. We hope donors understand that it’s important we continue to collect blood efficiently and effectively in line with what hospitals need. Hospitals can use money they save, through us being efficient and keeping the blood price low, on frontline services.”