An urgent call has been issued for Wiltshire residents to give blood, amid fears that current supplies of the rarest type are at risk of running dangerously low.
NHS Blood and Transplant estimates there are just 1,500 residents in the South West who have B negative blood. Would-be donors are being asked to come forward immediately to boost blood stocks over the summer months.
Only two per cent of the population has B negative blood, making it one of the rarest types. Those with this blood type can only receive B negative or O negative blood, creating added pressure on already limited supplies.
The NHS confirmed that the 1,497 possible B negative donors are currently eligible to donate, with enough time passed since their last contribution – men can give blood every three months, while women can donate every four months. The organisation is urging them to make an appointment as soon as possible to help stabilise supplies.
Gerry Gogarty, Director of Blood Supply for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “B negative donors are immensely important to our lifesaving work. As one of the rarest blood types, it can be a challenge to always collect enough.
“Right now, B negative stocks are at risk of running low. With a blood type this rare, just a slight rise in hospital demand or one or two patients suddenly requiring a high number of units, can put significant extra pressure on supplies.
“We urgently need existing B negative donors to make an appointment to donate and more people with this blood type to become regular donors and help secure the life-saving supply of blood to patients in the weeks, months and years ahead.
“If you are a B negative donor and can’t find an appointment at a session near you, please call us and we will do what we can to make one available for you. If you have never given blood before and believe you are B negative, please sign up and book an appointment today.”
The number of active B negative donors has dropped significantly since 2023, with more than 1,000 lost over the past year. Fewer than 20,000 people with this blood type currently donate regularly.
Family members of people with B negative blood are also being asked to consider donating, as they are up to 30 per cent more likely to share the same rare type.
Hospitals in England require more than 5,000 blood donations every day to treat patients affected by trauma, cancer, childbirth complications and other medical conditions. As well as B negative, there is a continuing need for O negative and RO blood donors.
Donating takes just one hour, and each donation can save up to three lives.
Appointments can be booked by visiting www.blood.co.uk, using the NHS GiveBlood app, or calling 0300 123 23 23.
