In response to England’s pressing blood shortage, major corporations are pioneering ‘Donate Breaks’.
- Prominent organisations, including The Co-operative Bank and Alton Towers Resort, now offer dedicated time for employees to donate blood.
- The NHS Blood and Transplant urges broader adoption of ‘Donate Breaks’ to counter a severe O negative blood shortage.
- A survey reveals increased willingness to donate blood if facilitated by employers, especially among the 25-44 age group.
- The critical demand for Black heritage donors, particularly with Ro subtype, remains a significant challenge.
In an effort to mitigate the ongoing blood shortage in England, several leading organisations have implemented ‘Donate Breaks’, providing employees with designated time off during working hours to donate blood. Companies involved in this initiative, such as The Co-operative Bank and ITV, aim to set a precedent for corporate social responsibility by fostering a culture of giving.
The NHS Blood and Transplant service has called for more companies to adopt similar approaches, especially as the demand for certain blood types, particularly O negative and Ro, remains critical. Dr Jo Farrar expressed gratitude towards participating businesses and highlighted the urgent need for a rise in donors to prevent shortages.
A recent NHS Blood and Transplant survey, which involved over 3,000 blood donors, found that 43% would be more inclined to donate if supported by their employers. This propensity rises to 65% among individuals aged between 25 and 44, indicating a significant potential increase in donor numbers with supportive workplace policies.
The current shortage of O negative blood was exacerbated by a cyber-attack on London hospitals, leading to increased reliance on this universal blood type, as hospitals faced difficulties in cross-matching blood efficiently. This disruption has had a prolonged impact, with stocks yet to recover fully, necessitating immediate action to bolster reserves.
A particular concern is the need for donors of Black heritage, due to the scarcity of the Ro blood subtype, crucial in the treatment of sickle cell disease. While only a small percentage of current donors possess this subtype, over half of the Black Caribbean and Black African populations are potential Ro donors, underscoring the importance of targeted recruitment.
The ‘Donate Breaks’ initiative represents a pivotal step in addressing England’s blood shortage crisis, encouraging other businesses to contribute.
