Paramedics star in hard-hitting advert to boost blood stocks in the capital

Paramedics at London Ambulance Service have featured in a new advert from NHS Blood and Transplant that calls for urgent blood donations for critically ill or injured patients.

The advert for the new ‘Be There’ campaign, shot on location near Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, shows a fictionalised car crash which has left a motorcyclist fighting for her life. She has a suspected pelvic fracture and signs of internal bleeding.

Paramedics Matt Price, Graeme Bainbridge and Abbey Scott, who star in the advert, called on Londoners to donate blood.

Abbey said: “If no one gives blood, people will die – that is the bottom line. One donation of blood can save three lives. Having blood ready in storage and able to go is imperative.”

Graeme said:  “We’re always meeting members of the public who want to help out. But one of the easiest ways to save a life is by giving blood. It’s very simple and there are blood banks all over London and on the high streets.”

London Ambulance Service crews see first-hand the need for blood supplies, from attending traumatic road traffic collisions, house fires, falls from height and incidents on the rail network to medical emergencies at home.

They rely on supplies of O negative blood as it is the universal type that can be safely transfused to critically injured patients at the scene.

Blood is constantly needed to help the NHS treat patients with cancer, blood disorders such as sickle cell disease and those suffering medical trauma or undergoing surgery.

Currently England remains in Amber Alert status for both O negative and O Positive blood types – this is the longest ever running alert of this kind, which has been in place for almost a year.

Paramedic Matt recalled the time he was called to a new mum who had lost two litres of blood following a home birth.

Midwives had identified a life-threatening postpartum haemorrhage – where the uterus doesn’t contract after birth and causes a loss of blood.

Matt said: “I don’t think she would have survived if medics didn’t give her blood. The baby was thankfully absolutely fine following the birth.

“Blood donations are needed for traumatic incidents and for our loved ones who face medical emergencies at home, whether that’s your parents, children, siblings or grandparents.”

“One thing you learn from this job is that unfortunately accidents happen all the time so you never know when your loved ones or friends might need blood. Having blood readily available for them is so vital.”

Matt said: “It’s so easy to give blood – I booked an appointment the day after filming at my local clinic on Brixton High Street.”

To book an appointment visit the Give Blood website, use the GiveBlood app or call 0300 123 23 23.