NHS appeals for blood donations after cyber-attack delays transfusions
London hospitals struggling to match patients’ blood at usual speed – and O-type safe to use for all patients
An appeal has been launched for O blood-type donors to book appointments across England following a ransomware attack affecting major London hospitals. NHS Blood and Transplant is urgently seeking O blood-type donations, which are safe for all patients. The cyber-attack has disrupted the hospitals’ ability to match patients’ blood at the usual frequency.
Last week, several London hospitals declared a critical incident, cancelled operations and tests, and were unable to perform blood transfusions after the pathology firm Synnovis was attacked. The Russian cybercriminal group Qilin is suspected to be behind the attack. Memos to NHS staff at King’s College Hospital, Guy’s and St Thomas’ (including the Royal Brompton and the Evelina London Children’s Hospital), and primary care services in London confirmed the declaration of a critical incident.
NHS Blood and Transplant is calling for O-positive and O-negative blood donors to book appointments at one of the 25 NHS blood donor centres in England to replenish stocks. Due to the cyber-attack, affected hospitals are unable to match patients’ blood as frequently as usual, making O-type blood essential for surgeries and procedures. Blood has a shelf life of 35 days, necessitating continuous replenishment, according to the NHS.
This means more units of O-type blood than usual will be required in the coming weeks. O-negative is the universal blood type that can be given to anyone and is used in emergencies or when a patient’s blood type is unknown. Air ambulances and emergency response vehicles carry O-negative supplies.
Although only eight per cent of the population have type O-negative, it comprises about 15% of hospital orders. O-positive is the most common blood type, with 35% of donors having it. It can be given to anyone with any positive blood type, meaning 76% of the population can benefit from an O-positive donation.
During this National Blood Week, it was revealed that three blood donations are needed every minute in hospitals. Approximately 13,000 appointments are available nationally this week in NHS blood donor centres, with 3,400 available in London.
“To support London hospitals in carrying out more surgeries and providing the best care for all patients, we need more O-negative and O-positive donors than usual. Please book an urgent appointment to give blood at one of our 25 town and city donor centres, which currently have good appointment availability."
“We welcome donors who know they are type O, as well as new donors who don’t yet know their blood type. You might have one of these special types that can be used in emergencies.”
Professor Stephen Powis, Medical Director for NHS England, said: “NHS staff are continuing to go above and beyond to minimise the significant disruption to patients following the ransomware cyber-attack on Synnovis earlier this week.”
He added: “To help London staff support and treat more patients, they need access to O-negative and O-positive blood. If one of these is your blood type, please come forward to one of the 13,000 appointments currently available in NHS blood donor centres.”
