Blood donors in London are urgently needed to help bolster blood stocks during the winter period, the NHS said.
Over the next two weeks, there are more than 4,000 available appointments at London’s permanent donor centres.
Hospitals required 1,000 more units of blood than were collected during the last Christmas and new year period.
While the shortage did not affect supplies for patients, the NHS said it highlighted the scarceness of blood stocks during the festive season.
The NHS aims to collect 1.45 million units of blood annually.
This requires up to 200,000 new blood donors each year to meet patient needs and maintain a diverse range of blood groups.
Mark Chambers, director of donor experience at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Demand for lifesaving blood doesn’t stop for Christmas.
“Many patients will need transfusions over the festive period as treatment for a blood condition or cancer, or due to surgery, childbirth, or an…
