What to expect

If you haven't donated blood before or if it's been a while since your last donation, the information below will give you an idea of what to expect when you come in to donate. You can also take a look at our brochure 'What you need to know about giving blood'.

Before donating blood

• Eat something substantial before your appointment. This might be cereal and toast for breakfast, or a sandwich at lunchtime. Please don't come in on an empty stomach.
• Have plenty of liquid the day before donation, especially in warm weather. In addition, in the 3 hours before donating, please drink at least 3 good-sized glasses of water/juice.
• If you've got a cold or flu, had a tummy upset in the past week, or you’ve been to the dentist recently you may not be able to donate. Call us on 13 14 95 to find out and we can reschedule your appointment if necessary.

On the day of donation

Bring your identification - You will be asked to present identification to confirm your identity. This must include 3 separate identifiers, for example:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Address
• Signature
• Photo (if possible)

Complete donor questionnaire - on arrival you will be asked to complete the Donor Questionnaire. This form asks about your general health and is completely confidential. It is designed to protect both you and the person who receives your blood.

Interview - Before donating you will have an interview with a trained staff member to discuss your recent health and check your:

• General health
• Haemoglobin levels (you will be given a quick 'finger prick' to ensure your haemoglobin level is within a healthy range)
• Blood pressure

Donating blood – Allow about 60 minutes from arrival to departure, which includes time for your interview and refreshments. Giving blood takes just 5-10 minutes. You'll feel a small pinch as the needle goes in, but it feels no worse than a pinch on the inside of your elbow. If you're nervous about donating blood, let our staff know.

Safety - All equipment is sterile; needles are used only once and then discarded. In the great majority of individuals, a donation of 470mL is less than 10% of your total body volume and may be given safely every 12 weeks. Your body keeps on discarding and replenishing blood all the time whether you give blood or not, so this amount is quickly replenished.

A donor questionnaire form is available below - please note that this is a sample only and not for actual use. This is provided for your information and should not be taken as a definitive guide to eligibility, which often requires medical interpretation.
Donor questionnaire - sample only.pdf (115k)

After donating

Relax & refresh - You can have something to eat and drink in our refreshment area where we ask you to spend about 15-20 minutes before departing. Within 24-48 hours your blood volume is completely restored.

Apart from enjoying our refreshments, other things to help you recover quickly include:

• Drink plenty of water, fruit juice etc and avoid alcohol for 8 hours after you've given blood.
• Avoid any strenuous activity or heavy lifting with the 'donating arm' for 24 hours after you've given blood.
• If you become unwell in any way after giving blood, call us on 13 14 95 straight away.

Donate blood again

Before you leave the donor centre book in your next appointment

• Whole blood donors can give blood again in 12 weeks.
• Plasma or platelet donors can give blood as often as every 2-3 weeks.