Concerns raised over future of blood donor sessions in Shropshire

It comes as NHS Blood and Transplant is writing to local blood donors to let them know about potential changes to some local donation sessions in Shropshire and Staffordshire.

Sessions in Bayston Hill, Bridgnorth, Dawley, Donnington, Highley, Madeley, Market Drayton, Minsterley, Oakengates, Shifnal, Shrewsbury, Wellington and Wem are among those being reviewed.

The proposal is that some sessions in the area will close, but NHS Blood and Transplant may increase the number of blood donation chairs at other venues.

Residents in the Market Drayton area said they would be disappointed if the sessions in The Parish Rooms in Church Street were axed.

NHS Blood and Transplant said donors currently giving blood in the town will be invited to a session in Newport, but if they wish to carry on donating they can choose to give blood at which ever session suits them.

Graham Sedgley, who has given blood about 80 times, said: "I feel Newport is too far for many Market Drayton residents to go to.

"I also think it is unwise to expect people to drive back from Newport after they have just given blood. I am normally fine but I wouldn't want to risk it.

"I would be disappointed if they got rid of the service in Market Drayton."

Other people have taken to the Drayton Crier Facebook page to voice their disapproval of the possibility of scrapping the service in the town.

One resident said: "If the sessions in Drayton go I will probably stop donating as I will not feel comfortable driving home, as quite often I feel faint."

Another person said: "As I don't drive I would have to stop giving blood."

NHS Blood and Transplant's local donation team run sessions in venues such as church halls, community centres and village halls across the area.

It said the need for blood is not as high as it once was.

It is inviting affected donors to donate at an alternative session, but it appreciates some donors may not be able to travel.

Mike Stredder, director of Blood Donation at NHS Blood and Transplant said: "We are very grateful to all those who give up their time to donate blood. Their generosity helps save and improve the lives of patients across the country.

"While hospitals are using less blood that in previous years, we still need to collect 1.5 million units of blood a year. We look forward to seeing our loyal donors at their next donation."