The NHS has issued an urgent appeal for blood donations in Greater Manchester as appointments fall empty amid rising cold and flu cases.
The appeal comes just a few months after a national blood donation crisis. In October, blood supplies fell to a critically low level across England, leading to the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) service to declare its first-ever amber alert.
The NHSBT is now asking people in Manchester to make giving blood to save lives 'their New Year’s resolution and book an appointment to donate in the next few days and weeks to help ensure hospitals get the blood they need this winter'. The NHS says it particularly needs O and B Neg donors who have an appointment over the next days and weeks to keep them if they are fit and healthy.
