Safety is still our priority

Although national COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, we are regularly reviewing measures at session. The safety of donors and our staff is always our priority.

COVID-19 risk reduction measures are still in place at all collection sessions, including personal protective equipment, infection prevention and control and triage of donor risk factors. These remain under regular review and are subject to change in line with government guidance and clinical evidence. At this time there have been no changes announced for healthcare settings.

Before coming to donate:

Check you are ok to attend – If you’ve got a high temperature, runny nose, cough or other signs of infection please check how long you must wait before donating. Read coronavirus health rules for donors. 

Staff wearing masks on session You may donate if you have had symptoms of COVID-19 and you have had a positive test, provided any period of isolation has finished and no further testing is required and it is at least 7 days from when your symptoms resolved.

You may donate if you have had symptoms of COVID-19 and you have had a negative test, provided no further testing is required and any period of isolation has finished and all your symptoms have resolved.

You may donate if you had symptoms of COVID-19 and you were not tested or you had a test but are not aware of the results, provided it is at least 7 days from when your symptoms resolved.

You may donate if you tested positive for COVID-19 but have not had any symptoms, provided it is at least 10 days since the last positive test was taken, any period of isolation is finished, no further testing is required and you remain well.

If you have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 you may donate if it is at least 10 days since the last day of contact and you remain well.

When you donate, it is very important you let us know if you develop any symptoms or illness including confirmed or suspected COVID-19 following your donation.

(Picture: Staff wearing masks at session)

COVID-19 vaccine – please wait 48 hours from your vaccine before donating (you can attend on the 3rd day from the date of your vaccine). This is a precautionary measure to keep you and the people who receive blood safe.

If you had side effects from the vaccine such as headache, temperature, aches and chills, please wait until these symptoms have passed before donating. Find out more about donating after a vaccine.

Keep your appointment and arrive on time – please reschedule it if you can't come by calling us on 0300 123 23 23.

Wear a fabric face covering – unless you're medically exempt, this must cover your mouth and nose.

Donor filling in pre-donation form The government website states: "A face covering can be any covering of the mouth and nose that is made of cloth or other textiles and through which you can breathe. Religious face coverings that cover the mouth and the nose count as face coverings for these purposes. Clear plastic visors are acceptable with a fabric face covering but not instead of one."

Our decision to ask donors to wear face coverings is in line with other healthcare settings to keep you and our staff safe. They continue to be required in health and care settings to comply with infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance. Get more information about face masks.

(Picture: Donor wearing a face covering)

Attend alone – as part of latest safety changes it is vitally important that you come on your own, to help minimise social contact. 

We are regularly reviewing all safety measures and may make more changes in the future to keep you and our staff safe. Keep up to date with our latest guidance.

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