[Closed] Why is it so hard to give blood?

We do have the advantage of a hospital based donor centre in Cambridge so it's really easy to book in. They are obviously having to limit number of donors at the moment cos Covid. But I've rarely struggled to book even before moving to the hospital based centre.

It is worth doing, you get free biscuits!

I get the Covid thing at the moment, but I've been trying for 3 years!

No idea why you're having problems. I make sure I book up again straight after a donation and have always got a slot. I'm lucky that there seem to be lots of venues near me (Chilterns). I wonder whether the sessions are based on easy travel from a series of hubs?

I'd love to go and give blood but I cant due to having a transfusion after my pelvic reconstruction surgery, I don't actually know why I can't. I presume it's to do with possibly either risk or antibodies

Just looked again on the app. Looked 6 months ahead at each of the 5 nearest venues. Only 1 or 2 dates in that 6 month period at each location and they are all full.

I live in rural South Shropshire, so these venues span Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire. They are not hospitals so are, I presume served by mobile donation vans. Maybe it's a funding issue or maybe they just don't need any more blood, but it is a bit disheartening. I will keep trying though.

Try as I might, it has been impossible to make an appointment to donate in that time.

They tend to space visits to a particular venue at three-four monthly intervals so that people can donate as often as they are allowed. Most of these donations book up the day after the last donation, particularly one of our local venues in the county council offices.

Booking seems to have been pretty much broken recently because donations are working at round 50% the normal capacity. There have been other recent issues with delays in releasing appointments but things seem to be getting back to normal

I've got to plan in advance. Male donors can give every 3 months so if you book 3 months in advance you'll normally get a slot. Trying to find a slot closer to the date is much harder.
Saying that, I always go to the blood Donation centre in Birmingham that is a permanent facility so maybe that helps. If you're south Shrops and can get there then there are plenty of slots free, I know as I've just booked mine for November.

I don’t actually know why I can’t

The rule exists (this is true, but don't panic...) to eliminate the risk of you passing abnormal prions to the recipient of your blood and so giving them vcjd. The risk is miniscule, but it can't be screened for.

Austerity is your answer.

The service has been stripped back a lot in recent years, they used to come to my work every 12 weeks, like clockwork, only filled 80% of slots, but still came.

Then there was a change in their plans, they only go to places that are booked out.

Keep trying, it's an awesome thing to do for others.

I’m the same OP. Well, I can’t book a session. As a PP says, people donate, then immediately book their next session, so they are almost always full.

I’m in Hereford, so I’ve got two locations in the city, plus Ledbury, Ross-On-Wye, Leominster, Ludlow, Malvern, Worcester at a push. Nothing at any of them. Covid has dropped the available number of donors per session too.

My wife has been cancelled twice now, both on the day of appointment. I think the system is struggling, but it has for some time. There’s not enough funding to run more sessions, so it will ultimately leave potential donors full of blood and unable to donate.

I’m up to 74 donations now, I think it’s because they don’t want to give me a new badge and card.

I used to give blood a fair amount, even did the bone marrow donation so committed to the cause but since the requirement to book a slot (pre covid) and no option to queue I haven't manged to give blood. Really annoying that barriers have been put in place.

I’m up to 74 donations now, I think it’s because they don’t want to give me a new badge and card.

That'll be it, cost cutting! Well done on the volume of blood extracted though.

I suspect the reduction in funding it likely responsible for the reduction in venues and mobile units sadly. Shame as the levels were being published early on in Covid and supplies were mostly listed in number of days nothing more.

@bigblackshed I'm in Ludlow so a few of those locations are ones I'm looking at. I've also looked at Telford and Shrewsbury, same story.

I've looked at Birmingham on the advice of @lunge and there are appointments available. It's awkward to get to on public transport from here and I'm wary of that anyway as my wife is in the shielding category. If I can find some secure-ish motorcycle parking nearby I'll book a slot.

I've had the same problem; it was particularly annoying when they texted me to say they needed blood, please come and donate, but I couldn't get an appointment. They used to keep slots for walk-in donors, which was frustrating if you wanted to book, but I think that's stopped with covid. I did one last month and they told me they don't now take bookings at the end for the next session. It's probably harder at the moment as some venues are not available because of covid. Keep trying, I think they still are still short of blood.

Prompted by this thread, I've just checked and my local session in January has no bookings at all, I could choose my time. (I book irregularly as I can be anaemic so don't try to donate every 3 months - I've managed to get 51 donations in so far so don't feel bad about it)

It was also my understanding that the number of appointments is also reduced because the need for blood is actually decreasing (in a tranfusing sense anyway).  More and more surgical procedures are carried out with minimal blood loss, so a great deal more donated blood now goes to non-surgical patients (cancer treatments for example).  That's what the nurse told me last time I donated anyway!  OP - do you have a local donor centre nearby?  I can always get a slot there even if the mobile units are full.

It’s not just you, I have the same problem. I’m O Rh- cmv- and my donations get special markers all over them because it’s apparently quite useful. I get that Covid’s an issue but the booking app says “demand for donations of your type has already been met” even immediately after my last donation. They usually ring me to see why I haven’t booked so I’m going to have to wait for that.

I used to work near the donation HQ in Edgware and could just drop in on the way home from work (and get offered a Guinness afterwards - those were the days!) but it’s becoming more of a PITA these days.

I’ve looked at Birmingham on the advice of @lunge and there are appointments available. It’s awkward to get to on public transport from here and I’m wary of that anyway as my wife is in the shielding category. If I can find some secure-ish motorcycle parking nearby I’ll book a slot.

If you go to Birmingham, you can get a couple of hour's free parking at NCP Birmingham New Street*, just ask at reception on the way out. I assume you can park a bike in there? You need a ticket to get back in as a pedestrian, do as safe as anywhere, I guess - failing that, copy the Deliveroo scooterers, just ride up the pedestrian bit of New Street itself and lock it to something substantial.

* That said, that's for platelet and plasma donors, presume it's the same for whole blood?

I did one last month and they told me they don’t now take bookings at the end for the next session.

That seemed like a huge step backwards when it came in a couple of years ago. It was seamless, but now you can't book online until a couple of days after when the website data catches up with the records. By that time of course, (and if anything like me) you've forgotten.

Had my next session in late December cancelled for Covid reasons and they didn't have any evening or weekend slots to offer me so I'm in limbo for a while. The process had definitely suffered over the last couple of years, but the staff remain terrific, that's worth recognising.

@pondo, thanks. I'll take a look at those options

Just looked again on the app. Looked 6 months ahead at each of the 5 nearest venues.

Keep looking at the app as appointments seem to get released when they are able. Unfortunately the people on the other end of the phone only seem to be able to see the same information as you can see on the app but have less idea of local geography.

Forgot to add, when I did my booking the site said "There's a shortage of your blood type please donate as soon as you can" (A+). So they do still need at least some types. And they'll always need O- as it's compatible with anybody.

It is worth doing, you get free biscuits!

Said the actress to the bishop..

Thanks for the thread OP. It has just prompted me to register as a donor. I have donated a few times several years ago in Scotland, but have been living in France where you can't donate as a Brit (something to do with mad cow disease). I'm in Northern Ireland at the moment, so hopefully my blood will be acceptable here.
My 2 year old daughter is currently being treated for leukaemia and has had transfusions plus some platelets to help her get through it. That has really brought home to me how crucial blood donation is. But for the altruism of the folks who gave their blood her treatment would not be possible.

@blokeuptheroad

After moaning I couldn’t book an appointment I’ve just managed to book for Tuesday 6th October at Hereford Three Counties Hotel. Still some slots available according to my Blood App.

@bigblackshed, thanks for the heads up but they are now showing as fully booked.

Oh don't get me going on this one.

I used to give blood regularly. I also receive acupuncture occasionally for a bad back. I used to be able to present a certificate to the blood service and give blood. But something changed a while ago and although the acupuncturist is registered with all the national Acupuncture associations that isn't good enough for the Blood Service I have to wait 3 months before giving blood (if the acupuncturist was an NHS GP, Physio etc etc etc then it would be OK).

Anyway. I am fortunate enough that my back hasn't been giving me so much jip and I was able to give blood. Went on website. Have to register now. I plugged my email in and website said we're a bit busy but we'll get back to you within 24-48 hours. That was over a week ago.

My blood apparently is a rare strain. They never leave me alone, text phone calls etc but go a bit quiet when I say I tried but...

The service has been stripped back a lot in recent years, they used to come to my work every 12 weeks, like clockwork, only filled 80% of slots, but still came.

Yep, I used to donate in the next door office, but now have to cross town to go to Addenbrookes hospital to donate, which takes too long to fit it at work; so haven't given in years. Mind you I've been banned for most of the last 15 years due to work trips to Africa at least once a year.

I was regular bleeder when I lived close to a proper donor centre. Struggled for three years to get appointments for the mobile system then gave up.
The adverts on Facebook nudged me to try again, no appointments!

I got rejected because I'd had a recent transfusion in surgery. Which seemed weird, because surely the worst risk that presents is that I'm as dangerous as the blood already in the jar?

When they came to the university, it was pretty obvious that they had more donors than they had slots so while they weren't exactly refusing me, they would rather just deal with someone that was a nice easy donor with a simple questionaire and a history of recent doning. Which is fair enough really

I currently give blood weekly, but as it’s therapeutic (for Heamachromatosis) it doesn’t get used and is just disposed of!

I failed at donating previously (fainting) now with all this current practice once things are back to normal I’ll be going as often as I can - every 12 weeks I think so am reading with interest

My OH donates every 3 months regular as clockwork, in fact when she missed an appointment they wrote to her asking her to come in as they needed her blood type. She gets a message occasionally that says her blood was used at such and such hospital & thanking her.

but now you can’t book online until a couple of days after when the website data catches up with the records

Not in my experience. I give at the donor centre in Manchester and book my next appointment on the train on the way back.

So, prompted by lunge it seems I can get appointments fairly easily at the Birmingham donor centre. It's a 90 mile round trip, but none of the dozen or so venues which are nearer have appointments in the next 6 months. I shall just have to make a day of it and find some interesting stuff to do in Brum!

Maybe I'm just on the treadmill but have been able to donate fairly seamlessly over about a 30 year period, Sheffield area.

One of the highly compatible groups but not sure it has made much difference to my experience.

All I can say is well played to those making a special effort to donate and please hang in there.

From memory this is the closest motorcycle parking to the blood donor building in central Birmingham

5-3 Temple Row W, Birmingham B2 5QB

Blood donor address
65 New St, Birmingham B2 4DU

I gave up when i was turned away for arriving on a bicycle. apparently too dangerous to ride home afterwards. Ok to drive home tho

@ducatimonster thanks 👍

@tj turned up on the bike many times, no issue.

I gave up when i was turned away for arriving on a bicycle. apparently too dangerous to ride home afterwards. Ok to drive home tho

Surprised at that - they've never asked me how I was travelling, and I've seen someone there with a bike helmet.

I've never had a problem pre-covid, but couldn't get an appointment when they were recently collecting in the area. I donated just as we went into lockdown, and the staff were saying that there was reduced demand as there was no non-emergency surgery etc going on. I take the view that they know my blood group and how to get hold of me, if they need it as they have done in the past, and I've never heard of them running out, so presumably if they are getting very short they have approaches to cope. Driving many miles and taking a day off work to donate is bonkers.

They won’t take mine...

F.... Cancer 😔

Never had an issue arriving by bike. Trips to India put paid to donations for two years, but Covid-19 let me donate again in June.

Phone call from them last week asking me to book in for October. I always go to the donor centre in Leeds so have no experience of the mobile sites, but certainly no issues getting a slot.

I'm in a similar position to the OP, and also in Shropshire, albeit the eastern side of the county. We used to get the mobile service (ie a bus with 3 beds in it) come to work in Wolvo twice a year. They abandoned that service, and the office has now closed anyway. Then there was a thrice yearly session in the local village hall, but they abandoned that venue about 3 years ago. Pre Covid and furlough, I could fairly easily stop off in Walsall on my commute home up the M6 of an evening, but I'm WFH now, so I struggle to find a venue nearby. I did get into a session in Dawley 4 months ago and have tried to rebook for the next couple of sessions there; website always says it's fully booked. Same for any other venues within the Telford area, although I've not looked further afield. It defo does seem to be a lot harder than it was, if you don't live in a biggish town or city.
I'm knocking on the door of 70 donations, and it's disappointing that it's just got so much more difficult than it recently was.

Having been reminded by this thread, I just fired up the app to see if any slots were available and got the usual fully booked and "The demand for your type of donation has been met" message, but also this time a popup saying how much they need my blood type and please book the earliest possible appointment. Well I would if I could...

As someone above said the issue according to a letter I got from NHSBT when they cancelled sessions at our local village hall is that there is less demand for blood for operations etc and I guess that is why the supply of donors now seems to exceed the demand. This is great and far better than having a shortage, but they maybe need to look into managing their mix of donors if the in-demand blood types are being squeezed out by the regular cooking types.

I tried to donate some blood a few weeks ago. Never again! So many questions

"Whose blood is it?"

"How did you get it?"

"Why is it in a bucket?"

🙄

This thread was a good prompt. I'd fallen out the cycle of booking in at Huddersfield as it books up really quickly. Managed to get a slot at lunchtime in a couple of weeks

Anyone done the Tony Hanncock "I don't mind giving a reasonable amount, but a pint? Why, that's very nearly an armful" Bit yet 🙂

I gave up when i was turned away for arriving on a bicycle. apparently too dangerous to ride home afterwards. Ok to drive home tho

I've never been turned away when going on my bike either. In fact, in my early/younger days of donating I ragged it the few miles to the donation place, got hooked up straight away as they were quiet and there was much less questionnaire preamble then and filled the bag in about 2 minutes as my heartrate hadn't settled. 😁

Also, going to university sessions where 75% of donors were fist timers and not wanting to waste drinking time by having an extended lie down was always good for a laugh. It was like student skittles, they used to put a special row of recovery beds out. 🤣

I also can't donate now after many trips to Africa.... apparently I've got AIDS or malaria despite never having had either.

I donated for the first time for 30 years last week. I was prompted to do so by seeing how cancer patients were helped by transfusions (not cured obviously but given some precious time).

I booked about three months ahead at a mobile centre in a church about a mile from where I work. All staff were very friendly and helpful. Just been to rebook and all slots are filled.

There is a permanent donor centre about nine miles away so might book in there.

Sheffield donor here too, never any issues about booking or going on bike, then they switched me to platelets and plasma (two hour session so time constraints meant bike out of equation), ALWAYS book you again before you leave, (is this why new donors can't get into the regime?). Apparently the system almost orders your platelets/plasma if there's a tissue match with a specific patient somewhere, which I've noticed when you get the text about where it's gone often a long series going to a certain hospital for a while, plus NCP free parking. However after my June donation I was put on hold as all the machines were being conscripted to take plasma from covid 'survivors' for testing /vaccine production and they don't want you to give whole blood if you're a platelet donor so I'm in limbo until they get in touch. Am I to presume that I haven't had a dose of the virus? Surely that would be one of the myriad tests they do on your samples?

Surely that would be one of the myriad tests they do on your samples?

Apparently not, according to the health advice on the Blood App.

A hint for booking your next session. The nurses will give you the date of your next bookable session if you ask. Before I leave I will use the app to book the next session, often your current session hasn’t updated on their website yet, so I “reschedule” my appointment for the next session. A bit cheating, but it gets me booked up every 12-13 weeks.

As someone who benefited greatly from blood and platelet transfusions during chemotherapy I plead with anyone thinking of not donating to please reconsider. It is possibly one of the most selfless acts we can do for a stranger and your kind donations can and will actually save or extend lives.

Thanks to all who do from those who receive.

ALWAYS book you again before you leave

Must be a different process where you are, not been an option in NW England for a couple of years.

... I plead with anyone thinking of not donating to please reconsider.

I think most of use would spunk a pint weekly juanking, it's just bloody awkward to arrange at the moment!

To answer the OP's question..... Hep C, vCJD (to the point that when companies based in the UK are manufacturing plasma derived products, they'd rather get it from poverty stricken areas in the United States) and....

Blood's not quite the same issue as plasma though, I mean the former mostly just gets given to vCJD prion exposed Brits - but it highlights why it might not be exactly easy to give blood.