Extra safety measures put in place for blood donors

Extra safety measures have been put in place for Isle of Wight blood donors during the current restrictions.

They include triaging on session. An NHS Blood and Transplant spokesperson said: “We need people on the Isle of Wight who are fit and healthy to keep donating as normal during the coronavirus outbreak. We’ve put extra safety measures in place and safety is always our number one priority. We’re now doing extra cleaning and this week we’ve started triaging everyone who arrives so only people with no risk factors can enter the donation area.

“A lot of people have called us asking if sessions are still going ahead. We need them to know that our sessions and donor centres are still open and that travel to blood donation sessions is essential for the NHS. Blood donation is a reason to do something amazing. Blood donation saves lives.

“We’re asking donors on the Isle of Wight to follow the latest advice on our website and app, and the advice from the Government. We’re regularly reviewing the situation and working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care, PHE, and the UK’s other blood donation services. Donations have dropped, though our stock levels are currently still good because hospitals are cancelling routine operations. We need people to keep donating to make sure we can keep supplying the blood hospitals need in the coming weeks and months. Patients and doctors are relying on us to be there.”

To make appointment to donate or for more information, call 0300 123 23 23, download the NHS Give Blood app, or visit www.blood.co.uk

Questions being asked include: Can you get coronavirus from donated blood? Do you test for coronavirus?

There is no requirement to test for SARS-CoV-2. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses. There is no evidence of any type of coronavirus being transmitted through blood donation. No blood donation services are testing blood donations for the virus.