Blood types

How much do you know about your blood group?

There are eight blood groups which are classified using two systems:

• ABO System - Group O, A, B and AB
• RhD (Rhesus) system - Positive (+) and Negative (-)

The blood groups are:

O-   A-  B-  AB-  O+  A+  B+  AB+

We aim to have 6 days supply of each of these blood groups at all times. Knowing your blood group can be particularly important when supplies of a specific blood group are lower than we'd like. Even when blood supplies are adequate, unpredictable shortages in specific blood groups can occur. You can view our current blood stock levels and more information about blood groups here.

Not every blood group can help every patient. The following table shows which patients your blood type can help:


All blood groups are important, so please continue to give blood regularly.  You can see your blood group on your blood donor card, or simply ask us about it the next time you give blood.

The patients who receive your blood type cannot thank you personally. So on their behalf, thank you!