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  • Plasma: Information about your white blood cell count

    If your white blood cell count is too high or too low, you are not eligible to give plasma at this time. This leaflet explains more about your white blood cell count, what white blood cells do, and what steps to take next.

  • Research project: Information for blood donors

    This leaflet is given to donors asked to take part in research projects. It contains information help you understand what we hope to find out, and to help you decide whether to participate.

  • Testing for blood-borne infections

    All donations are tested for infection with Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B (past and present), Hepatitis C, Hepatitis E, HIV, HTLV, Syphilis, and high levels of Human Parvovirus B19 (Slapped Cheek syndrome). We may also test for Malaria or West Nile virus. This leaflet tells you how and why these tests are carried out, and what happens in the rare event of a positive test.

  • Tissue donation

    Tissue transplants (including heart valve, tendon, skin and cornea transplants) dramatically improve patients’ quality of life - and can even save lives. Find out more about how tissue donation works, and the difference it can make.

  • Travel information for blood donors

    Travel outside the UK can affect your eligibility to give blood, because you may have been exposed to infectious diseases. We ask all donors about travel outside the UK in the previous 12 months. Our guidelines are updated regularly, so we ask about your travel each time you come to give blood.

  • Welcome pack

    Our welcome pack gives information on what you need to know as a new blood donor, including preparing to give blood, guidance on blood types, and detail about the people you can help.

  • Malaria and donation

    Malaria is an infection carried by certain mosquitoes - without treatment, some people can become very ill and die. Malaria can be passed on by transfusion so we need to test donors with malaria risk factors to ensure their blood is safe for patients. This leaflet explains more about malarial risks and the measures we take to help keep our blood supply safe.

  • Giving platelets

    Giving platelets is a different process to giving blood, and helps a distinct set of patients. This leaflet gives more information on the criteria for becoming a platelet donor and who platelets can help.

  • Lipaemic donations

    Sometimes the plasma in a donation is not able to be used because of fatty deposits. This leaflet explains more about this issue, and gives information on what to do next.

  • Giving plasma

    Find out more about plasma, how it can help patients, and whether you can donate.

Current blood stock levels across Scotland Saturday 13 December

We aim to retain 6 days of stocks at any time in order to meet the requirements of patients in Scotland.

Learn more about blood types