Can I give blood?

There are restrictions on giving blood that apply to people with bleeding disorders and their families. Simply put, anyone with a bleeding disorder or symptoms of a bleeding disorder should not donate blood.

The English blood service guidance says that “You must not donate if you tend to bruise easily, if it takes a longer time for you to stop bleeding or if you have been treated with blood derived coagulation concentrates such as Factor VIII.”

If you are a carrier ONLY of a bleeding disorder and don’t have bleeding symptoms or if you a family member, carer or partner of an individual who has a bleeding disorder you may be able to give blood. You should call their helpline on 0300 123 23 23, Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm who will be able to advise but may pass you on to their Referral Team who can deal with more complex issues.

Most other people can give blood if they are fit and healthy. To see the general information on who can give blood in England please follow this link. 

Anyone who is HIV positive or is a carrier of Hepatitis B or C cannot give blood and people who have had a blood transfusion or received any blood products at any point after the 1 January 1980 are also not able to donate in order to reduce the chance of transmission of vCJD. Anyone who has been told they are at risk of vCJD shouldn’t give blood.

You can look up any other medical conditions and their impact on your ability to give blood at here. 

If in any doubt, please speak to your haemophilia centre or use the contact details above to speak to NHS Blood and Transplant.

The rules may be slightly different in other parts of the UK. Click on the following links to get specific information on the rules in Wales, Scotland and in Northern Ireland.