GiveBlood NHS  Reviews 

when actually getting to give blood the staff are good - but the admin behind it is making me give up. I have fixed a trip around giving blood to arrive at a locked up venue because they forgot to cancel me; I have been cancelled at last minute with no reason given; I have been cancelled last minute and found it's because they don't need my blood type but only when I've asked for detail; and yet more letters come imploring me to give blood. The system needs to change and the call centre staff need to care.

My First Experience at Blood.co.uk – Westfield Stratford
I visited the Blood.co.uk donation centre at Westfield Stratford for the first time in September, as I wanted to donate blood and do something that could potentially help save someone’s life.
Unfortunately, my first experience was extremely disappointing, mainly because of the way I was spoken to by one of the staff members. I did not get his name, but he was a white gentleman with ginger/reddish hair.
When I arrived, I was asked whether I had eaten. I explained that I had eaten rice before coming in. He then asked, in a very loud and confrontational tone, “Rice and what?” I explained that I had eaten rice, but he repeated the question in a manner that I found unnecessarily aggressive.
His tone and manner made me feel uncomfortable and embarrassed, particularly because other people in the centre were looking over. As someone in my early 40s who had willingly taken the time to come in and donate blood for the first time, I did not expect to be spoken to in that manner.
I understand that staff have procedures to follow and may need to ask questions to ensure donors are safe. However, there is a significant difference between asking someone questions professionally and making them feel uncomfortable or belittled.
Unfortunately, the interaction completely put me off donating that day, and I ended up leaving without donating. I later decided to look for another location and book an appointment elsewhere.
I hope this feedback is taken seriously and that the branch looks into what happened. People who come forward voluntarily to donate blood are giving their time and making an important contribution, and I believe they should be treated with courtesy, patience and respect—especially first-time donors.
I have no intention of discouraging anyone from donating blood. In fact, I still intend to donate, but I will be doing so at another location.
I hope the staff member involved can receive appropriate feedback, because a first experience like this can easily discourage someone from donating again.

It's mad that I've had my past 6 appointments cancelled, yet they still call me to try and get me booked in or send messages asking for donors, stating shortages. Honestly, I'm not going to bother trying anymore. At least with this cancellation they gave me 2 days notice rather than an hour like the previous cancellations.

After 50 years of being treated with respect, discarded today by a service too risk adverse and anonymous.
Previous 2 cancelled appointments, the latter as I was undergoing respiratory tests. Was advised to return if results all clear.
Did so today after the respiratory team discharged me as all was good. But BTS Nurse today kept asking numerous questions implying I was on my last legs. She contacted an anonymous clinical advisor in my absence. Afterwards patronised me, telling me they couldn’t accept a donation today because it could put me at risk! I felt insulted and rejected. Told her I wouldn’t be coming back.
So sad to finish this way after 50 years 😢 I’m an ex-ITU nurse and given many blood units to save the sickest patients.

Regular donor here - last donated today, 28 July. The booking system is really easy these days but my only criticism is the fact that the staff always seem rather brusque. I appreciate it must be like managing a sausage factory, but a friendly smile and engaging chat would not go amiss. Maybe formulaic processes transfer to this? I go to different venues in my area and the experience is the same. Maybe it’s me!!!!

Gave blood today at Alsager. My Nurse was Sally who was professional, polite & friendly & managed to find my vein in 2 seconds ! We need more like her ❤️

Went to the branch in Oxford today. Was treated quite poorly by the staff there. My younger brother went with me and was told off just because I asked him to hold something for me, bare in mind he is 17 years old and is not a child. Also I believe that they should give you more information about whether you can donate or not before you go to them. Wasted about 30 minutes just to be told I can’t donate even though all of there website stuff said I can.

I donated at the London West End Blood Donor Centre this morning. The staff are always wonderful here but special thanks go to Lauren Newis who performed magic on my usually hard to find vein today. Her kindness, confidence and skill made all the difference to my experience.

I’m amazed that blood donating gets such a bad wrap on here. I’ve given nearly 60 donations of blood now and can’t fault the service.

Online booking via the app ✅
Kind and caring nurses ✅
Free club biscuits ✅

What’s not to like?!

Was a regular blood donor for more than 25 years but was recently told I could no longer donate because of a previous health scare. Was dropped by GiveBlood NHS like a hot potato, no thank you, not even an email saying sorry you can no longer donate, absolutely nothing. If I should ever be able to donate again, I'll rather go somewhere where they appreciate and pay me.

BloodUK do not give the correct information regarding the replenishment of iron stores following a donation. Iron rich diet merely maintain iron levels and do not elevate them to pre-donation levels. And who pays for the beef? By donating blood many times my health deteriorated. I paid £770 for an iron infusion to restore my iron levels following numerous GP blood tests and numerous iron tablets, which did not restore the iron levels to normal. The GP did not sanction an iron infusion to correct my iron deficiency as I was not anaemic so I had to pay for it. The Dutch health service sanction an iron test after five donations.

NHS Blood is a vital service in the UK. Unfortunately, it's quite clear that the Blood and Transplant service is disconnected with the real world, overworked and unrealistic.

As a previous regular donor after a hiatus following the previous discriminatory practices towards active LGBTQIA+ individuals (based on archaic biased research); I'm appalled that the service mainly operates during daytime slots when the majority of people WORK for a living. Then there's a 3 month wait for an appointment; utterly unrealistic.

Donations would be increased by: operating appointments eg noon until 10pm 7 days a week. Roadshows to engage younger donors. More locations. Catch up; we're not living in the 70s any longer.

Gave blood in Brighton at the new centre. Excellent experience, in and out efficiently, super friendly staff also!

They cancelled my appointment at very short notice so I booked another one. When I got to Thames Ditton they told me there was an hour wait. They are always wining about not enough blood then this. I declined to wait.

Gave blood today at Church of Jesus Christ in Thirlestane Road Cheltenham.
It was a very efficient experience where I was seen at my appointment time, after I had checked in with the Receptionist. I had my pre-donation check and was taken through to the donor zone by Sharon who was very friendly and answered all of my queries. The process was painless and timely. I was then processed by Rachel who was again very friendly and efficient. The facility was very welcoming and comfortable with the new reclining beds.

I gave my pint at the Alma Lodge Hotel, Stockport, on Sunday, 21st September. The whole experience was great, smashing staff, painless delivery and lovely biscuits and juice at the end. Thank you.

Gave blood in Leicester at the holiday inn wigston. Chris was brilliant . We had a couple of jokes and was a very pleasant experience. Had plenty of drinks and biscuits available. The whole team did an excellent job.

I went into Manchester to give blood today and was so well looked after i needed to share. Francine looked after me, answering my daft questions and having a laugh. I have donated over 80 times and loved my visit. See you again soon

Donated over 37 timed and last time I was told the biscuits for everyone to share then was refused water and told to leave,passed out in toilet they refused to attened and called police.made a complaint then found that they have blocked me from donations for life

I donated blood at the centre in Brixton yesterday, and it was a completely positive experience. It was very easy to book on line. The centre is new, clean and spacious. The staff were efficient and friendly. I was seen at my appointment time and ready to leave 40 minutes later. Particular thanks to the lovely Marsha who looked after me.
My only complaint is they don't serve tea afterwards!