The Air Ambulance Service urges public to give blood to avoid national shortage

The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS) has added its voice to an urgent call for people in England to give blood, stabilise the nation’s supply and avoid a threat to public safety.

There is a critical need for O negative donors – the universal blood type needed for emergencies – which accounts for 15 per cent of the blood used by hospitals and first responders such as air ambulance crews. The public are being urged to come and give blood after NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) analysis revealed an annual shortfall of over 200,000 donors needed to meet growing demand.

Every day, The Air Ambulance Service – which operates in Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland – attends victims of major trauma, some of which suffer catastrophic bleeding. Crews administering blood and plasma enhances the vital care provided to the service’s patients and gives them the best chance of survival.

National Blood Week (9 – 15 June)

During National Blood Week, NHSBT has launched an appeal for 1 million people in England to give blood.

The Air Ambulance Service Medical Director, Dr Matthew Wyse, said:

“We are often first on scene, and our highly trained medical crews provide pre-hospital emergency blood transfusions to those patients who have life-threatening bleeding from medical conditions and severe injuries.”

“It is not possible to overstate the importance of ensuring that blood and plasma supplies are available to improve the chances of a patient’s survival. This is why we are joining our colleagues nationwide during National Blood Week to urge everyone who can to sign up, give blood, and save lives,” he added.

Register now and book an appointment online, on the GiveBloodNHS app or by calling 0300 123 23 23.