Message from Dr Shaz Wahid, Medical Director – Amber alert: national blood shortage 

Message from Dr Shaz Wahid, Medical Director – Amber alert: national blood shortage 

Dear Colleagues, 

NHS Blood and Transfusion, our provider of blood products, has issued an AMBER alert. This means there is a national shortage of blood. We have been asked to put in place a number of actions from midnight tomorrow night (Friday 14^th October 2022). In summary: 

• All hospitals have been asked to reduce both red cell stocks and red cell use by 33%. This is to make sure that patients who need a blood transfusion have blood available. 
• During this time laboratory stocks will be reduced. ALL blood transfusion requests will be monitored and may be deferred to a Haematology Consultant before approval. 
• Elective non-cancer surgery which is likely to require blood support should be risk assessed by the Consultant Surgeon and Anaesthetist. This should be followed by a discussion with a Consultant Haematologist. 

These are unprecedented times and there is a risk that bloodstocks may fall lower. It is vitally important that we consider each transfusion request carefully. The algorithm from NICE guidance is attached for reference as well to promote good practice. The contingency planning document can be viewed here. 

Many thanks 

Shaz