BLOOD donors in Oxford are being reassured they should not be concerned if their appointment is cancelled over the next few weeks.

NHS Blood and Transplant has said it is beginning to collect blood plasma from people who have recovered from Covid-19 to support a national clinical trial.

This is being jointly run by Oxford doctor Professor David Roberts.

Read more about the trial here

To free up appointments in donor centres, some blood and platelet donation appointments in Oxford are being cancelled and rescheduled.

The NHS said there will be no impact on supplies, with blood and platelet stocks currently above average due to the 'fantastic response' of donors during the coronavirus pandemic.

Since the outbreak, there has also been a drop in demand for blood and platelet as hospitals have cancelled non-urgent surgery such as hip operations.

This means there is enough capacity to change blood and platelet donation appointments into plasma donation appointments.

An NHS Blood and Transplant spokesperson said: “We are still collecting blood and platelet in Oxford so please keep making appointments to donate. Donation saves lives.

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“This new trial is part of the national research effort against the coronavirus and we hope people understand if we make any changes to your appointment.

"If your appointment is cancelled until another day it means we have good blood and platelet stocks, and the appointment time can be used for someone to donate plasma to a seriously ill Covid-19 patient.”

The plasma trial will investigate whether transfusions of antibody rich plasma from people who have recovered could help people who are still unwell. Plasma will be mainly collected in selected cities with blood donor centres.

Re-book an appointment for a future date by calling 0300 123 23 23, visiting blood.co.uk or using the NHSGiveBlood app.