NHS blood ‘amber alert’ triggered

Please be aware that NHS Blood and Transplant has triggered an ‘amber alert’, meaning hospitals have been asked to put in place management plans to protect blood stocks. Existing O Neg and O Pos donors are being asked to make appointments to give blood and help restore stocks, with the ‘amber alert’ expected to be in place for minimum 4 weeks.

This means we are postponing a small number of non-urgent elective surgeries at Medway Maritime Hospital to ensure blood is prioritised for patients who need it most. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Important – if you have an appointment for surgery please attend as planned unless you are contacted directly by us.

Please be aware that the Trust is following a number of important actions based on national guidance and our Emergency Management of Blood Shortage Guideline. This will help staff to maintain necessary levels of stock

NHS Blood and Transplant needs O negative and O positive donors; all other donors are asked to visit the website at a later date.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.