Before Donation
Check your eligibility prior to attending the clinic
An illness or injury, however minor, may mean it is not safe to give your blood to a sick patient. Certain medications can also be harmful to patients. Therefore it is important that you are well and healthy when you come to donate blood. Recent travel may also mean that you may not be eligible to donate. When you attend a clinic you will have an opportunity to speak in confidence with a nurse but if you have any queries in relation to your health or travel history you can contact the IBTS Donorline at 1800 731 137.
It is essential that all donors understand and communicate clearly in English in order to donate blood. This is to ensure you can give informed consent to the donation process and testing of blood.
Information is also available in the ‘Can I give blood’ section. For new and returning donors who haven't given blood in the last 5 years, you should review the New Donor Eligibility Quiz to see if there are any reasons you might be unable to donate.
Remember to make an appointment to attend clinic
All clinics are now appointment slots based so make an appointment to ensure you are able to attend - First Time Donors can book by calling 1800 731 137 and returning donors can book online.
Bring Photo ID
All Donors are asked to bring Photo ID. This helps maintain blood safety by verifying donor's identity before donating. The requirement for Donor ID is not mandatory yet but will become so in the near future to meet EU safety requirements.
Children on clinic
Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult at all times and are not permitted on the clinic floor. Children under 13 must remain with a supervising adult at all times on clinic. Children aged 13-17 must remain in view of their supervising adult at all times. A donating adult cannot be the sole supervising adult; the parent needs to ensure there is another designated adult during the donation process. At all times responsibility for children (who are less than 18) on clinic remains with a parent or designated adult guardian who must be at least 18
Reduce your risk of fainting
Drinking plenty of cold, non-alcoholic fluids in the 24 hours prior to donating and eating savoury food and / or salty snacks the night before donation will greatly reduce the risk of fainting during or after donating. In addition, please ensure you eat something substantial in the 3 hours prior to your donation.
Allow enough time
Although a donation only takes approximately 8 minutes, you will need to allow 60-90 minutes for the entire process, i.e. from the time you register to resting afterwards while enjoying refreshments.
If you have any questions, you can call us on 1800 731 137.
