Thursday November 12th 2026
Photo by Nguyễn Hiệp (Unsplash)
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Scotland’s blood donation service has issued its first-ever Amber Alert over falling blood stocks, with donors being urged to book appointments urgently.
The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) said stocks had dropped to unprecedented low levels following a shortage of donors and increased demand for Group O blood.
The alert came into force at 9am on Tuesday, November 10, and will initially remain in place for four to six weeks.
Hospitals across Scotland have been asked to ensure Group O blood is only used when essential and to maximise the use of alternatives to transfusions where possible.
Stocks have remained below target levels for several weeks, with Group O blood falling to less than two days’ supply on several occasions.
SNBTS aims to maintain between five and seven days’ supply of every blood group.
All donors are being encouraged to book appointments in the coming days, weeks and months, with particular urgency for those with O negative and O positive blood.
On average, around 3,385 donation appointments need to be filled every week.
However, donor centres in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness have experienced falling numbers for several months, with just 85 per cent of appointments being filled on average.
The Amber Alert triggers hospitals to introduce emergency measures to reduce blood usage, including additional checks on the use of Group O blood and strategies to minimise the need for transfusions.
SNBTS stressed that urgent and emergency procedures would continue, including trauma surgery, cancer operations, transplants and transfusions for patients with long-term conditions.
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.”
SNBTS said only around two per cent of Scotland’s eligible population currently donate blood, with a decline in new donors contributing to sustained shortages during 2026.
Anyone aged 17 or over and in general good health is being encouraged to register as a blood donor.
Appointments are available to book until the New Year through the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service website or by calling 0345 90 90 999.
Tweet Share on Facebook
