Are you Type-O (RH +ve or -ve) and permitted to give blood?
A ransomware attack on an outsourced pathology provider has left some NHS hospitals unable to type patients' blood fast enough for critical care; therefore, more Type-O than usual is needed for emergency transfusions.
Type-O donors are being encouraged to donate.
https://www.blood.co.uk/news-and-campaigns/campaigns/blood-donor-appeal/
This is close to my heart on two points:
1) The NHS being forced to outsource is creating supply chain risks that are costing lives.
2) In January, I needed an emergency transfusion of 4 Litres of fluids and blood products to keep me alive during surgery.
Something that you may not be aware of is that people who have received a transfusion in the UK after 1980 are not permitted to give blood, due to the infected blood scandal. The availability of blood for transfusion is an issue that may not affect you now, but once it has (i.e. because you have had a transfusion), you won't be permitted to give blood.
@avon_deer @tryst blood donation rules are antiquated sadly, especially when it comes to LGBT+ people.
For reference; I cannot donate… because my partner has had sex with a man….. 15 years ago…. Yet I can’t donate unless I abstain from sex for a time period (I think 6 months).
I queried the ridiculousness of this via work contacts and was told nope sorry… (granted, this was 5 years ago)
Rules need thoroughly going over tbh.
@Yksi @avon_deer The most recent rules were implemented in 2021.
It has come a long way since "Ew. Gay blood."
Tryst 🏴 🇮🇪 
Avon DeRussate
Yksi