New blood donors are needed as hospitals catch up on critical care.

Some 8,227 fewer people gave blood in the South East during the pandemic.

Around 4,378 people regularly donated at Oxford’s Blood Donor Centre on the JR site last year, compared with 4,486 the year before.

Hospitals managed to stay supplied with blood by the smallest pool of donors in the 21st century as the NHS relied on existing donors because they were far more likely to make a successful donation – which was vital while social distancing reduced available chair space.

Alongside blood donors retiring every day, this led to the community of active donors shrinking last year to its lowest level since 1996.

Now, as life returns to normal, the NHS needs new blood donors to play a crucial role in its recovery.

Around 1,000 extra appointments have been added at the Donor Centre at the JR in November.

A new campaign (This Is Amazing - NHS Blood Donation) launched by the NHS today will run for six weeks and include TV adverts and support from businesses and influencers to celebrate blood donors and their lifesaving role.

There is a particular need to recruit more Black donors to help treat patients with sickle cell disorder, which is the fastest growing genetic blood condition in the UK and mostly affects Black people where ethnically matched blood is critical for treatment.

Also needed are new donors with O negative blood, which is the universal type and is often used for medical emergencies – 45 per cent of new donors are likely to have O positive or O negative blood.

These new donors will help meet a return to normal demand and will future-proof the overall number and blood-type mix of donors.

Demand for blood dropped by 27 per cent at the start of the pandemic as hospitals reduced elective care.

As a result, collections were adjusted and reduced by 21 per cent. This ensured that blood stocks remained above the six-day target throughout.

Demand for blood is now back at pre-pandemic levels and may increase as hospitals continue to catch up on delayed activity.

Helen Duggan, Assistant Director of Donor Campaigns at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Maintaining a safe and regular supply of blood to hospitals is our top priority. Through the most critical time of the pandemic this was achieved thanks to a loyal club of existing donors.

“As hospitals catch up on routine care, we are facing a critical crossroads to meet the rise in demand for blood and are appealing for new donors in Oxfordshire to step forward and join this amazing group of lifesaving people."

Register today and book and appointment by visiting www.blood.co.uk, downloading the GiveBloodNHS app or calling 0300 123 23 23.