17 December 2010
A senior doctor at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust has made an urgent appeal for local people to give blood after the NHS Blood Service reported that stocks are running low.
Dr Martin Stockwell is the Trust's Deputy Medical Director and is a consultant anaesthetist who specialises in treating patients in intensive care. He said: "Blood supplies are extremely important to hospitals like ours and they really do save lives. However, there is concern that supplies could dwindle as a result of severe weather returning across Britain over the next few days.
"I know people are really busy getting ready for the festive season and buying presents, but we really need local people to take time out to give blood. In fact, it could be the most important gift you give this Christmas."
To find out where you can give blood locally, visit www.blood.co.uk. Alternatively, you can call 0300 123 23 23.
