Blood stocks plummet to unprecedented levels - Falkirk area residents urged to donate
Falkirk area residents are being urged to donate blood as stocks fall to unprecedented levels, following the first ‘Amber Alert’ issued to hospitals across Scotland.
An increase in the use of Group O blood over recent months, along with disruption from staffing shortages and poor weather, has left stocks at dangerously low levels.
The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) has written to hospitals across Scotland, issuing an ‘Amber Alert’ and asking them to use Type O blood only when essential and to turn to transfusion alternatives where possible.
The alert allows hospitals to introduce emergency measures, including vetting all Type O use and adopting management strategies to minimise it. It will be in place for an initial four to six weeks but will remain under review.
Blood stocks have been consistently below target for several weeks, and Group O levels have recently fallen to less than two days on several occasions.
All donors, particularly those with O negative and O positive blood, are being urged to book appointments across Falkirk, Forth Valley and Scotland in the near future. Around 3,385 appointments need to be filled every week, and anyone aged 17 or over can donate.
SNBTS has seen a decline in new donors for several years. Currently, only around two per cent of the eligible population give blood, and this shrinking donor base has led to sustained shortages of one or more blood groups during 2026.
Dr Lorna McLintock, medical director at SNBTS, said: “To supply hospitals with the 135,000 units of blood they need each year to treat patients, appointments need to be fully booked all year round.
“The winter months can be particularly challenging due to the weather, illness and people enjoying the holiday season. Blood donors are asked to book appointments over the coming days, weeks and months in order to maintain Scotland’s blood stocks.”
Some upcoming donor drives across the Falkirk area include dates at INEOS in Grangemouth on Wednesday, November 11, Linlithgow Low Port Centre on Thursday, November 26, and Bo’ness Town Hall on Tuesday, December 8.
The Glasgow Blood Donor Centre is open seven days a week, while Edinburgh’s donor centre is open Monday to Saturday.
Appointments can be booked until the New Year at scotblood.co.uk or by calling 0345 90 90 999.