Find out if you're ok to donate
If you've got a high temperature, runny nose, cough or other signs of infection please check how long you must wait before donating.
We need you to keep donating blood and platelets during the pandemic. Donor centres are still open despite coronavirus restrictions.
To make donating as safe as possible for everyone we have made a few changes at our centres. Please read the following information before coming to donate:
Check you are ok to attend – read coronavirus health rules for donors
COVID-19 vaccine – please wait 7 full days from your vaccine before donating on the 8th day
Travelling to donate – donation is allowed despite coronavirus restrictions
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 – this must cover your mouth and nose - get more information about face masks
Attend alone – as part of latest safety changes it is vitally important that you come on your own, to help minimise social contact.
Yes. You can give blood and platelets during the national lockdown. Our blood centres are open despite coronavirus restrictions and we still need you to come and donate. Please take sensible precautions when travelling and be assured that we will look after you when you arrive.
Yes, but you will need to wait 7 days. If you have received a coronavirus vaccine as part of the UK vaccination programme, please wait 7 days after having the vaccine before coming to donate.
You should confirm your situation before coming to donate.
Yes. We have introduced several changes to give donors confidence about hygiene and social distancing.
Find out more about hygiene and social distancing.
Yes. You will need to wear a fabric face covering when you give blood. This does not have to be a surgical mask but should cover your nose and mouth. Unfortunately, we cannot make any exemptions to this rule. If you can't wear a face covering, please wait to donate when this restriction is no longer necessary.
Our decision to ask all donors to wear face coverings is based on the latest Government guidance.
At the moment we particularly need:
Find out more about becoming a blood donor.
Keeping our centres open and getting the right balance of blood types is currently more difficult than usual. If we cancel your appointment, please accept our apologies. We only do this when absolutely necessary and we still really need you to try to book again further into the future.
More about closed sessions and cancelled appointments.
No, we do not routinely test for coronavirus because there is no evidence it is transmitted through blood donation.
Read about the tests we do on every blood donation.
Yes. You can continue to donate if you are well and have given a full donation in the last two years. There is no longer a restriction because of government guidelines.
We always need new donors to join the community and help ensure people get the blood they need both now and in the future.
If you can't get an appointment straight away, your help will still be needed in the future. We'll get in touch when there's space to donate.
Download our app to book or manage your appointments