People who weigh at least 45kg are eligible to donate.

Yes, for some medicines there are restrictions. Therefore make a list of what medications you are currently taking and show it to the attending staff so that they can accurately assess the eligibility of the donor.

Ideally, people must have a meal and plenty of liquid in the 3 hours before donating.

1. Before donating you will be interviewed by a trained staff member to assess your suitability.
2. You will be given a quick 'finger prick' to check that the haemoglobin level is within the acceptable range.
3. Your blood pressure will be measured.

Donating blood takes just 10 – 20 minutes but please allow about an hour from arrival to departure. This includes time for your interview and refreshments.

An average size adult has a blood volume of around 4.5 - 5.5 litres.

A single unit of blood taken during a whole blood donation is about 470mL (less than half a litre), which is less than 10% of your total blood volume. Your body keeps on replenishing blood all the time whether you give blood or not, so this amount is quickly replaced.

1. Rest for at least 10 – 15 minutes.
2. If you have any problems please do not hesitate to call the blood bank and talk to the doctor or nurse.

Drink plenty of water, fruit juices, etc. Avoid alcohol for 8 hours and avoid smoking for 2 hours after your donation.

NO. All equipments are sterile; needles are used only once and then discarded after collecting donor blood.

Whole blood donations are separated into their components (red cells, platelets and plasma) which are utilised for various immunisations against chicken pox, hepatitis B and tetanus; clotting factors for the treatment of patients with haemophilia; protein products for the treatment of patients with burns, liver and kidney diseases; and immunoglobulin products for the treatment of patients with antibody deficiencies and other disorders of the immune system.

To protect patients who receive blood, your donation is tested to determine your blood group and will be screened for HIV 1 & 2, hepatitis B & C, HTLV I & II and syphilis

A healthy individual (male or female) can donate blood once in 90 days. The body will replenish the elements given during a blood donation – some in a matter of hours and others in a matter of weeks.