Current:Home > MarketsA blood shortage in the U.K. may cause some surgeries to be delayed -Mastery Money Tools
A blood shortage in the U.K. may cause some surgeries to be delayed
View
Date:2025-04-15 11:42:01
The National Health Service in the United Kingdom has "critically low" blood stocks and says it "urgently" needs people to donate blood.
The shortage has gotten so bad that officials say hospitals may begin postponing some elective surgeries to prioritize the blood they do have for patients with more time-sensitive needs.
"Asking hospitals to limit their use of blood is not a step we take lightly. This is a vital measure to protect patients who need blood the most," Wendy Clark, interim chief executive of NHS Blood and Transplant, said in a statement.
"Patients are our focus. I sincerely apologise to those patients who may see their surgery postponed because of this," Clark added.
U.K. authorities say they typically aim to store more than six days of blood stocks, but the current supply is predicted to soon drop below two days.
Part of the reason for the shortage is that there are fewer donors visiting blood collection centers in cities and towns in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, the NHS said. The service has also struggled with staff shortages and sickness.
On Wednesday the NHS declared a so-called "amber alert," which will remain in effect for at least four weeks as officials attempt to shore up the service's blood supply.
In the meantime, hospitals will continue to perform emergency and trauma surgeries, cancer surgeries and transplants, among others. But health care providers may postpone some surgeries that require blood to be on standby such as hip replacements in favor of those that don't, including hernia repairs and gallbladder removals, the NHS said.
"I know that all hospital transfusion services, up and down the country, are working flat out to ensure that blood will be available for emergencies and urgent surgeries," said Cheng-Hock Toh, chair of the National Blood Transfusion Committee.
The NHS is asking people — particularly those with O-positive and O-negative blood types — to donate blood as soon as possible.
Health officials say they are also trying to make more staff members available for appointments and fill vacant positions more quickly.
veryGood! (227)
Related
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Remains found in Indiana in 1982 identified as those of Wisconsin woman who vanished at age 20
- BaubleBar Has All the Disney Holiday Magic You Need at up to 69% Off
- These 40 Holiday Gifts From Kardashian-Jenner Brands Will Make You Say You're Doing Amazing, Sweetie
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- US border officials are closing a remote Arizona crossing because of overwhelming migrant arrivals
- Doug Burgum ends 2024 presidential campaign
- Ex-British officials say Murdoch tabloids hacked them to aid corporate agenda
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- Horoscopes Today, December 4, 2023
Ranking
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- Las Vegas, Miami, New Orleans? Which city was just named most fun in the United States.
- Maine loon population dips for a second year, but biologists are optimistic about more chicks
- Brutal killings of women in Western Balkan countries trigger alarm and expose faults in the system
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Officers kill man who fired at authorities during traffic stop, Idaho police say
- Search for missing hiker ends after Michigan nurse found dead near Calaveras County trail
- Biden is spending most of the week raising money at events with James Taylor and Steven Spielberg
Recommendation
Bodycam footage shows high
Mackenzie Phillips' sister Chynna says she's 'proud' of her for revealing father John's incest
Virginia officer seriously wounded in gunfire exchange that left stabbing suspect dead, police say
Mental evaluation ordered for Idaho man charged with murder in shooting death of his pregnant wife
Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: What to know about the attack on Dec. 7, 1941
Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore Deserve an Award for This Iconic Housewives Reenactment
12 books that NPR critics and staff were excited to share with you in 2023