Ageing population is draining blood banks, say doctors

Hospitals are running out of blood. The demand is rising because of an ageing population but estimates suggest screening of blood for variant CJD could cut donations by half, researchers say.

About 10,000 units of blood are used in the NHS every day but demand is already outstripping supply because of increases in patient numbers.

Now doctors from the National Blood Service in Newcastle have estimated the impact of the ageing population on demand for blood. They traced all blood used in 18 hospitals served by the Newcastle blood blank and found the average age of patients who received at least one unit of blood was 63.

They estimated that regional demand for blood will increase by 2 per cent next year and 5 per cent by 2008. Small increases in the number of elderly people will have large effects on demand, they say in the British Medical Journal.

Half the blood was used by medical patients with 40 per cent taken by surgical patients and the remainder by obstetrics and gynaecology patients. The authors cite a survey suggesting one third of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy may require blood transfusion to boost their red blood cells.

The National Blood Service described the research into donor supplies as valuable but said there was no cause for alarm. Chris Hartley, a spokesman, said: "We are working with the NHS and the Department of Health to make sure blood is used in the most appropriate manner.

"We are encouraging Trusts to look at patient strategies such as getting people to donate their own blood prior to operations.

"At the moment we have got seven days supply of blood in blood banks. That may not sound much but it is a very healthy position to be in because blood has a very short shelf-life.

"We are also looking at our TV and advertising campaigns and using technology to target donors in other ways, such as text-messaging students.

"We are also looking at ways of making the blood-giving experience more enjoyable, by cutting queues and making sure people get the message they have done a really worthwhile and valuable thing."