Blood stocks

Blood stock status

The stock status is Amber for group O red cells, positive and negative.

The stock status is Pre-amber for B negative, A positive red cells; A negative platelets.

Stock status explained

The National Blood Transfusion Committee's (NBTC) shortage plans for red cells, and platelets outline four phases for the supply of blood to hospitals, supported by a framework of actions for NHSBT and hospitals at each phase. The phases are:

  • Green when circumstances are normal and where supply meets demand
  • Pre-Amber when there is reduced availability of blood for a short or a prolonged period
  • Amber when there is reduced availability of blood for a short or a prolonged period which impacts on clinical activity
  • Red when there are severe, prolonged shortages which impact on clinical activity

Best practice

Please refer to: 

The stock we have available to issue is:

Red blood cell stock levels - text version

O- 2.04 days, A- 10.72 days, B- 3.19 days, AB- 5.56 days, O+ 3.74 days, A+ 4.74 days, B+ 5.66 days, AB+ 11.42 days

We aim to maintain 6 days of stock for red blood cells.

Platelet stock levels - text version

O- 2.27 days, A- 1.37 days, B- 2.11 days, AB- 2.56 days, O+ 1.59 days, A+ 1.95 days, B+ 1.90 days, AB+ 3.14 days 

We aim to maintain a minimum of 1 days' stock for platelets (except AB-).

When stocks are low we may need to offer substitutions (PDF 141KB) based on best transfusion practice.