England and North Wales
What Happens When I give Blood?
Donating blood is simple.
To find out what happens please take a walk through our virtual tour. When you arrive, you'll be asked to read a number of leaflets and fill in a Donor Health Check (DHC) questionnaire and may have a confidential discussion with a nurse. All answers are treated in the strictest confidence.
A tiny drop of blood is taken from your fingertip. This allows us to check your haemoglobin levels and ensure that giving blood won't make you anaemic.
If all is well, you will be able to donate blood. You will donate about 470ml of blood - this amount of blood is quickly replaced by your body. Learn more about how the body replaces blood.
Once you have given blood, you should have a short rest before being given some refreshments usually a drink and biscuits. All in all giving blood shouldn't take more than an hour.
Please remember to have something to eat and drink before you give blood.
Find out where to give blood locally
Simply type your postcode into the below search box to find out where to give blood and book an appointment.
You can call us on
0300 123 23 23
View Session Searcher to find your nearest venue.
Alternatively we can call you Minicom 0845 730 0106
Alternatively we can call you Minicom 0845 730 0106
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Read about Keira