More London plasma donors needed, NHS says

Plasma can be used to make medicines which treat more than 50 different diseases

The NHS in London has said potential plasma donors are unaware they could contribute to the capital's reserves.

London's donation centre at Twickenham currently sees about 1,900 regular contributors, and health bosses say another 1,200 people are needed to donate over the next year.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) said most people could donate, regardless of their blood type or background.

The process is similar to blood donation and takes about 35 minutes.

Plasma donation to the NHS only restarted in 2021 after a break of more than 20 years when it was stopped as a Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease precaution.

NHSBT research shows most people are willing to give plasma but many do not know if they are eligible - but about seven out of every 10 people who are tested at the Twickenham centre are able to donate.

What is plasma?

• Part of the blood containing antibodies which strengthen or stabilise the patient's immune system

• It can be used to make medicines which treat more than 50 different diseases

• It does not need to be matched by blood type

NHSBT said increasing donations now would improve the future security of supply and reduce how much the health service has to buy.

Dr Naim Akhtar, a consultant haematologist, said: "You have a medicine in you which helps babies' hearts, adds antibodies, improves the immune system, prevents paralysis - it's amazing, life-saving plasma."

Pamela Antoinette, from the Twickenham Plasma Donor Centre, said "Our amazing donors come from all walks of life. If you're aged 17-65, fit and healthy, regardless of your blood type you could become a lifesaving plasma donor."

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