Patients requiring blood donations could potentially be saved in a ground-breaking move by Manchester City Council as it becomes only the third council in the UK to enter into a three year partnership with the NHS.
The city has joined forces with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) to sign up to the Organ Donor Register and give blood in what has been hailed as a ‘significant step’ for public health in Manchester.
The council’s new initiative, which will see them promoting both blood and organ donation, hopes to significantly increase the number of Mancunians who do both.
Councillor Glynn Evans, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Adults said: “This is a groundbreaking move, making us the first council in the north of England and only the third council nationally to enter into a three year partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant.
“It’s also a significant step for public health in Manchester and a major milestone for the service since it transferred under local authority responsibility in April.
“This partnership has the potential to save lives across the city which is why we are committed to doing all we can to increase the rates of blood and organ donations from our own staff and residents in Manchester.”
The council particularly want to target black and Asian people as there are significantly less people donating blood and organs from these communities – despite these communities urgently needing help.
Withington mum-of-two Caroline Hardie said she was minutes from death, and without blood donors, she would not have survived.
“If it wasn’t for the medical team, I wouldn’t be here and most definitely without blood donors, my daughter would have no mother,” the 26-year-old added.
“The blood I received not only saved my life, but it saved my daughter from losing her mother before she was even four weeks old.”
Less than 1% of the city’s population have given blood in the last two years – the national average is 4%.
Zeeshan Asghar, NHSBT’s Partnership Development Manager, said: “We are delighted to be launching this important collaboration with such a major and leading local authority.”
Picture courtesy of NHSBT1, via YouTube, with thanks.
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