How to Give Blood
, by Andrew Odgers, 10 min reading time
Getting started
How to give blood
Giving blood in the UK involves four straightforward steps: checking that you are eligible, registering as a donor, booking an appointment at a donor centre near you, and attending. The whole process from registration to your first donation can be completed within a week. NHS Blood and Transplant makes every stage as straightforward as possible, and most first-time donors find the experience significantly easier than they anticipated.
Step by step
How to give blood: from eligibility to donation
Step one: check you are eligible
Before registering, it is worth confirming that you meet the basic eligibility criteria. You must be aged 17 to 66 if donating for the first time, weigh at least 50kg, and be in good general health on the day of donation. Most healthy adults will qualify.
NHS Blood and Transplant operates an eligibility checker at blood.co.uk that covers the most common eligibility questions including medications, recent travel, tattoos, piercings and medical history. Running through this tool before registering helps identify any temporary deferrals and lets you know your eligible donation date if a waiting period applies.
Step two: register as a donor
Registration is completed online at blood.co.uk. You will need to provide your name, date of birth, address, email address, and NHS number if you have it. The process takes approximately five minutes and creates your donor account, which tracks your donation history, sends you appointment reminders and lets you see the impact of your donations over time.
You can also register by phone on 0300 123 23 23 if you prefer not to register online. Some donor centres accept walk-in registration but online registration in advance is faster and means more of your appointment time is spent donating rather than completing paperwork.
Step three: find a donor centre and book
Once registered, book your appointment through your donor account at blood.co.uk or via the NHS Blood and Transplant app. Enter your postcode and available dates to see the nearest donor centres with appointments at times that suit you. Centres are located across England in towns, cities and some rural areas. Mobile donation sessions also operate in community venues.
Appointments are typically available within one to two weeks, sometimes sooner. Choose a day when you can take 45 to 60 minutes without rushing. Avoid booking immediately before intense exercise, a long drive or an important commitment where feeling slightly tired or lightheaded afterwards could be a problem.
Step four: prepare for your appointment
In the 24 hours before your appointment, avoid alcohol and ensure you eat and sleep normally. On the day itself, eat a full meal containing iron-rich foods two to three hours before arriving, and drink at least an extra 500ml of water in the two hours before your appointment. Good hydration makes veins more prominent and significantly improves the donation experience.
Wear a top with sleeves that roll up easily above the elbow. Bring identification if it is your first visit: a driving licence, passport or NHS letter are all suitable. If you registered online, your health questionnaire may be completable in advance through your donor account, which speeds up the arrival process.
What happens at the appointment
On arrival you will check in, complete a health questionnaire if you have not done so online, and have a finger-prick haemoglobin test. A nurse will briefly review your questionnaire and check your blood pressure before confirming your eligibility to donate on the day.
The donation itself takes 10 to 15 minutes. You will be seated or reclined in a donation chair, the inside of your elbow is cleaned, and a needle is inserted into a vein. Blood flows into a collection bag until approximately 470ml has been collected. After the needle is removed you will rest in the refreshment area for at least 15 minutes with a drink and a snack before leaving.
After your first donation
Most first-time donors leave the centre feeling well and mildly proud of themselves. In the 24 hours after donation, avoid strenuous exercise, continue drinking extra fluids and eat normally. If you feel dizzy or unwell after leaving, sit or lie down, drink water and call the donor helpline on 0300 123 23 23.
Your next eligible donation date will be recorded in your donor account. For men this is 12 weeks later, for women 16 weeks. Booking your next appointment before you leave the centre is the most effective way to build a regular donation habit. Each appointment takes under an hour. The difference it makes to patients lasts far longer.
Ready to donate
Ready to donate for the first time?
Registration takes five minutes at blood.co.uk. Your first appointment can be booked within days. The whole process from decision to first donation is simpler and faster than most new donors expect.
Before you go
Things to check before your first appointment
Most people who want to donate can donate. Run through this checklist before attending to give yourself the best chance of a successful first visit.
- You are aged 17 to 66 and weigh at least 50kg. Both criteria must be met.
- You have eaten a proper meal in the two to three hours before your appointment. Low haemoglobin is the most common reason for deferral on the day and is largely preventable with good pre-donation nutrition.
- You have drunk at least 500ml of extra water in the two hours before arriving. Good hydration makes veins easier to access and reduces the risk of dizziness.
- You feel completely well on the day. Any cold, flu, sore throat or active infection means rescheduling. Attending while unwell will result in deferral.
Giving blood for the first time is one of the most straightforward ways to make a meaningful difference to someone else's life. Registration takes five minutes. The first appointment takes under an hour. What follows is a habit that, maintained over years, can save dozens of lives.
Our step-by-step preparation guide covers every aspect of getting ready for your appointment in full detail.
Part of the hub
Back to the Giving Blood Hub
This article is part of our complete giving blood knowledge base, covering eligibility, preparation, what happens on the day, recovery, types of donation and the science of why blood is so urgently needed.
Keep reading
Preparation, expectations and your first donation
How to prepare for giving blood covers the complete pre-donation checklist. What to expect when you give blood in the UK walks through the appointment in full detail. And How to recover after giving blood covers the 24 hours after your session.
Frequently asked
First-time donor questions
How do I start giving blood in the UK?
Register online at blood.co.uk, check your eligibility, book an appointment at your nearest donor centre, prepare by eating well and drinking water, and attend. The whole process from registration to first donation can happen within a week.
Do I need to make an appointment to give blood?
Yes. Booking an appointment in advance is strongly recommended. Walk-in sessions are available at some centres but booked appointments guarantee your slot and minimise waiting time.
What do I need to bring to give blood for the first time?
Identification such as a driving licence, passport or NHS letter. Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that roll up above the elbow. Your health questionnaire can be completed in advance online through your donor account.
How long does registration take?
Approximately five minutes online at blood.co.uk. You will need your name, date of birth, address and email. An NHS number is helpful but not essential.
Can I give blood if I have never done it before at age 60?
Yes, provided you are no older than 66 at the time of your first donation and meet all other eligibility criteria. First-time donors up to the age of 66 are welcome.
What if I faint at my first donation?
Vasovagal reactions are most common in first-time donors. Staff are trained to manage them. You will be laid flat, given fluids and monitored until you recover. It does not prevent you from donating again in future.