NHS leaders issue fresh calls for plasma donations amid national rollout, initiated in Oxford
For the first time in a generation, plasma from UK donors is being given to UK patients, reducing the reliance on international markets
Senior NHS officials have renewed calls for more people to donate plasma, highlighting its vital role in treating patients with immune deficiencies, liver disease, and complications during childbirth.
The appeal comes as the UK launched its push to reduce reliance on overseas plasma supplies since the major rollout announced in Hertfordshire yesterday.
Jo Farrar, Chief Executive of NHS Blood and Transplant, emphasised the critical need for plasma donors and the wide-ranging impact of plasma-based treatments.
She said: "Plasma makes up about 55% of our blood, and it carries antibodies, which we can turn into medicine to help fight disease and make people feel better.
"There’s two drugs that we’ll be using—one will help to treat people with immune deficiencies, and the other can also help people in childbirth and those with liver disease."
Currently, only 1% of the British public donates blood or plasma, but each donation has the potential to save or improve up to three lives.
Giving blood takes between half an hour and an hour. It takes a little bit longer to give plasma, about two hours, but the process is similar.
Reducing NHS Pressures
Ms Farrar highlighted the importance of UK-based plasma donations in supporting the NHS.
She said: "If we can’t treat people with plasma, then quite often people will be in hospital or needing different types of treatment.
"By the end of this year, 25% of our plasma products will be coming from UK donors, and we want to grow that."
Professor Stephen Powis, National Medical Director of NHS England, added: "What we’re witnessing today is the first time in a generation that we can use UK-based donors to make the plasma products that are really important for many thousands of patients across the NHS.
Pr Powis, who has served as NHS England’s medical director for over seven years, described the significance of securing a stable, UK-based plasma supply.
He said: "This is a win-win. It’s a win for the UK, it’s a win for UK patients, but it also benefits patients everywhere."
Learning from the Pandemic
Reflecting on the lessons from COVID-19, Powis pointed to the importance of having homegrown medical supplies.
He said: "The pandemic taught us the importance of as much homegrown supply as possible.
"The more UK products that we can use, the more resilient the country is."
He compared the current plasma drive to the vaccine rollout, which he described as "a historic moment".
Now, with plasma donation becoming increasingly important, NHS leaders are urging the public to play their part in strengthening the UK’s self-sufficiency.