First Steps

We must first make sure that you are fit enough to give blood. We also have to make sure your blood will be safe for the patients who receive it.
That is why we will check your blood and ask that you complete a health questionnaire.

The Questions

A doctor or a nurse will ask you some questions concerning your health. Your answers will be treated in the strictest confidence. They are routine enquiries which must be made of all volunteers before their donation is accepted.
If you don't qualify as a donor this time, we'll explain why and give you all the advice you need.
If you are accepted, we'll ask you to sign your name to indicate that you are happy for us to test your donation later in the laboratory.
The tests will tell us your blood group and will screen for infections that may be transmitted in blood - such as hepatitis viruses (which cause jaundice) and the immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
If any of these tests indicate that you should not be a donor, we'll contact you in the strictest confidence.

Haemoglobin Screening

All volunteers are screened to ensure that making a donation will not make them anaemic.
This is done by placing a tiny drop of blood from your finger or ear lobe in copper sulphate solution. If the test shows that you cannot spare a full donation on that day, we will tell you what you should do.

Blood donation is easy...

Giving blood is normally quick and painless.
After haemoglobin screening you will be settled on a bed and after your blood pressure has been measured, your donation will be taken.
In five to ten minutes we'll have collected 450ml (about three quarters of a pint) of your blood.
After your donation, you will be asked to rest on the bed for a further 10 - 15 minutes before being invited for a hot or cold drink and some biscuits in the refreshment area.