With COVID caution and isolation rates high, the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood have reported nearly every second appointment made in recent weeks is going unattended.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
They're urging Tasmanians to consider making a potentially life-changing donation, with an additional 5,500 blood donors needed every week between now and January 26 nationally.
"Across the country we're seeing around one in two aren't attending their blood donation bookings," Tasmania Lifeblood spokesperson Erin Lagoudakis said.
"This is also happening in the North-West."
She said while the gaps were largely due to people waiting on PCR test results or suddenly having to isolate, it was vital that those available to come their appointment showed up, and that new donors considered coming in.
"Lifeblood is an essential service, and patients across Australia continue to need blood and plasma, so we are asking people to book a donation or keep their appointment if they have one on the Coast.
"COVID does not stop the need for blood. It is a critical resource and demand for blood is constant."
While not seeing appointments being missed at quite the same rate, St Vincents de Paul Tasmania CEO Lara Alexander said they were also coming up against some similar struggles.
"Since we've recommenced delivery of services, for instance in Burnie, we've noticed a ramp-up of people making appointments and not turning up, plus cancellations," Ms Alexander said.
"We don't know how much of that is that people might have made an appointment with another charity, or that they were nervous (about COVID)."
She said while she appreciated that circumstances could change very quickly, she urged those who were no longer planning on attending to reach out, so that those in need could get the necessary assistance.
"Be mindful that if (you) book up a time, you may be taking up a time slot that could be allocated to someone (else)," she said.
"Think about the person next door, Think about the person who may be struggling."
Ms Alexander said for those that were cautious about face-to-face contact it was important to note that the organisation had also recently ramped up their telephone support, in preparation for borders reopening.
"We're now sort of moving our strategy to what we did in 2020 with telephone support," she said, as well as a 'drive and drop' service for food deliveries or vouchers.
"We are utilising our staff, especially those in our warehouses and doing retail activity anyway, to deliver food or other necessary items.
Meg Whitfield
Journalist at the Advocate Newspaper, Burnie, proudly covering Tasmania's North-West and West Coast. Got a tip?
Journalist at the Advocate Newspaper, Burnie, proudly covering Tasmania's North-West and West Coast. Got a tip?
