Plasma donors and disability
Everyone can volunteer to donate plasma, whether you have a disability or not. However, we must make sure that it’s safe for you to donate plasma.
If you would like to donate plasma, it’s essential that you understand what’s involved, how you will feel, and how to take care of yourself afterwards. If we think you don’t completely understand what is required, we may be unable to let you donate plasma.
Bringing a carer
We welcome carers. We just ask that your carer introduces themselves to a member of our staff. They can accompany you throughout the donation process, apart from the private screening. This is to maintain your confidentiality.
Accessibility and wheelchair users
Our Reading and Twickenham plasma donation centres are wheelchair accessible. At our Birmingham plasma donation centre, there is a small step to access the main entrance. The rest of the centre is wheelchair accessible.
Please call us on 0300 123 23 23 before booking for more detailed information about access and the facilities available at any of our plasma donation centres.
If you use a wheelchair, you will need to be able to get from your wheelchair to the donation chair and back again, either on your own or with the support of a carer you have brought with you. For your safety, the donor centre staff are not able to assist you with this.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs are welcome and encouraged.
Deaf or hearing loss
If you are deaf, have hearing loss or difficulty with speech, you can contact our donor helpline using the numbers below:
- To use Text Relay dial 18001 0300 1232323.
- To use text chat please SMS 07860 034343.
Your call will go through a relay assistant who will translate your information from text to voice.
You may bring a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter to your donation session. However, if you need them to be present when confidential information is being shared (such as during the health screening), they must:
a) Understand the requirements of the Blood Safety and Quality Regulations relevant to the donation process.
b) Not be personally known to you.
Please be aware that NHS Blood and Transplant do not routinely provide a signing or translation service at our plasma donation sessions. Although we have some donation staff who are British Sign Language certified and may be able to act as a third-party interpreter, we cannot guarantee the availability of this service at all plasma donation sessions.
Visual impairments
If you have a visual impairment, there are large print versions of the welcome folder available, and we can talk you through the Donor Safety Check Questionnaire.
If you have colour blindness or dyslexia, you can ask for coloured overlays at the welcome desk.
Help and information
If you have any comments, concerns, or questions about whether you can donate plasma, please contact us:
Phone: 0300 123 23 23
To use Text Relay dial 18001 0300 1232323.
To use text chat please SMS 07860 034343.