The need for blood donations is on the increase once again

The demand for blood fell by around 30 during the peak of the Covid-19 outbreak, but currently hospital needs have risen to around 90 percent of their normal levels.

Donation sessions are being held in the Guildhall in Derry this week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service says that it is safe to give blood and attending sessions is classed as essential travel, but anyone hoping to give blood must now make an appointment.

The Covid-19 outbreak has changed other aspects of blood donation. Donors are now triaged on arrival at the donation centre for Covid-19 symptoms.

Sessions are also now fully socially distanced, which has meant that some of the usual venues used are no longer suitable and alternatives have had to be found.

A spokesman for the NI Blood Transfusion Service said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has affected both the demand for blood and the number of donations we collect.

“Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service requires about 800 units of blood and 160 units of platelets every week to support our five hospital trusts.

“Demand for blood during the pandemic decreased by about 30%.

“This was similar to what has been seen in other countries and is due to a decrease in non-essential surgeries and routine procedures in the hospital setting.

“Patients who are being treated for Covid-19 infection do not normally require blood, however they may require plasma which is one of the products we obtain from blood donations.

“While the focus has been on these Covid-19 patients a lot of equally important work also continues.

“Blood is still required for many of the most critically ill patients in our healthcare system.

“Mothers giving birth, patients post cancer treatment, emergency surgery and babies in ICU all still require blood and this will continue throughout the duration of this pandemic.

“Demand has risen again and we are at about 90% of what we would normally expect hospital trusts to require.”

The service recently started collecting blood from donors who have recovered from Covid-19. They separate this into red blood cells and plasma. The plasma is called convalescent plasma.

People who have recovered from Covid-19 will have antibodies in their plasma which can fight the virus which causes Covid-19.

If plasma is taken from one of these recovered people and transfused to a patient with Covid-19, the transfused antibodies can help that patient fight the infection.

The spokesman added: “We did experience a drop in our ability to collect blood at the beginning of the pandemic due to some of our regular donation locations being unavailable.

“This has now been resolved and we have had many kind offers of alternative venues. This has also allowed us to relocate some sessions to larger locations where we can more easily implement social distancing.

“Thankfully despite all the changes, we have been able to meet demand throughout the pandemic and stocks of blood and platelets are currently quite good.

“This has been achieved through the combined efforts of the staff here in NIBTS and the generosity and commitment of our donors, who continue to come and donate through these difficult times.”

The Guildhall sessions are being held on Wednesday July 1 from 10.30am to 1.30pm and 3pm to 6pm, Thursday July 2 from 11.30am to 2.30pm and 4pm to 7pm and on Friday July 3 from 10.30am to 1pm and 2.30pm to 5pm.

Appointments can be made on 08085 534 653 and the line is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4.30pm.

The spokesman said: “We would like to remind the public that blood donations are still required, travelling to give blood is classed as essential travel and coming to donate is safe.”

More information about donating blood can be found at NIBTS.org