Am I able to donate?
Please note the following eligibility questions are intended as guidance only. Additional criteria may apply, please refer to the information later on this page or contact us for more details.
How old do I need to be to donate?
You can become a blood donor between your 17th and 66th birthday.
If you're aged 16, you can register with the Blood Transfusion Service, and if you're already a regular donor aged 66 or over and in good health, you can keep donating.
What if I'm waiting for test results from my doctor?
Unfortunately, you won't be eligible to give blood until you've received your test results.
If you think your results could affect your eligibility to give blood, please get in touch.
What if I visited an area that has a risk of catching malaria?
Unfortunately, you'll have to wait 12 months before you can give blood.
What if I have had cancer, heart disease or a stroke?
Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood.
What if I have given birth in the last nine months, or I'm currently pregnant?
We'd love to welcome you six months after your baby is born.
What if I've recently had a tattoo or a piercing?
You'll need to wait 4 months after a tattoo or piercing before you can give blood.
What if I'd recently had an endoscopy or colonoscopy?
You'll need to wait 4 months after your investigation before you can give blood.
What if I'd received a blood transfusion after 1st January 1980?
Unfortunately, you're not eligible to give blood if you have received (or think you might have received) a blood transfusion since 1980.
To all our current and prospective donors, we thank you for your support. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
Basic Requirements of a blood donor
Age – Blood Donor
- Donors can donate once they have reached their 17th birthday.
- 1st time donors can donate up to their sixty-sixth birthday.
- Regular donors (i.e. those who give at least one donation in a two year period) can continue to donate beyond 70 years, provided they remain otherwise fit and well.
Weight – Blood Donor
- Donors should weigh at least 50kg (7 stone 12 pounds).
- If you are a female & aged less than 20 years old additional height and weight criteria apply.
- We need to estimate your blood volume before deciding if you can donate.There is no upper weight limit. However, our donation beds will safely accommodate a donor weighing up to 25 stone (158kg).
Blood Count – Blood Donor
- Donors need to have an adequate haemoglobin (blood count) to donate.
- Haemoglobin levels have been set at 125 g/l for females and 135 g/l for males.
- Donors will have their blood count checked each time they come to donate. We do this by taking a tiny drop of blood from the fingertip.
How often can I donate blood?
- Female donors can give blood every 16 weeks (every 4 months or 3 times in a 12 month period).
- Male donors can now give blood every 12 weeks (every 3 months or 4 times in a 12 month period).
- NIBTS will however continue to send out invitations to both male and female donors approximately every 16 weeks.
- The difference in donation frequency relates specifically to lower iron levels in women. Whilst a donor’s blood volume is restored within a few hours, it can take eight weeks to restore the iron lost after donating. Replacing this iron through diet alone can take a long time, especially with other concurrent losses, for example, menstruation in women.
Basic requirements of a platelet donor
Age – Platelet Donor
- Donors can donate once they have reached their 18th birthday.
- 1st time donors can donate up to their sixty-sixth birthday.
- Must have donated blood at least once before.
Weight – Platelet Donor
- Donors should weigh at least 70kg (over 11 stone).
- Have good veins.
Blood Count – Platelet Donor
- Donors need to have an adequate haemoglobin (blood count) to donate.
- Haemoglobin levels have been set at 125 g/l for females and 135 g/l for males.
- Donors will have their blood count checked each time they come to donate. We do this by taking a tiny drop of blood from the fingertip.
How often can I donate platelets?
- All Platelet donors can donate every 4 weeks.
How old do I need to be to donate?
You can become a blood donor between your 17th and 66th birthday.
If you’re aged 16, you can register with the Blood Transfusion Service, and if you’re already a regular donor aged 66 or over and in good health, you can keep donating.
What if I’m waiting for test results from my doctor?
Unfortunately, you won’t be eligible to give blood until you’ve received your test results.
If you think your results could affect your eligibility to give blood, please get in touch.
What if I visited an area that has a risk of catching malaria?
Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait 12 months before you can give blood.
What if I have had cancer, heart disease or a stroke?
Unfortunately, you’re not eligible to give blood.
What if I have given birth in the last nine months, or I’m currently pregnant?
We’d love to welcome you six months after your baby is born.
What if I’ve recently had a tattoo or a piercing?
You’ll need to wait 4 months after a tattoo or piercing before you can give blood.
What if I’d recently had an endoscopy or colonoscopy?
You’ll need to wait 4 months after your investigation before you can give blood.
What if I’d received a blood transfusion after 1st January 1980?
Unfortunately, you’re not eligible to give blood if you have received (or think you might have received) a blood transfusion since 1980.
To all our current and prospective donors, we thank you for your support. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
Colds and coughs
Colds are caused by viruses and easily spread to other people. You are often most contagious for the first few days when your symptoms are most severe and diminish over time as the immune system builds resistance. You’re infectious until all your symptoms have gone and may be able to spread the virus if you have a lingering cough or are still showing other symptoms. As a blood donor, you can donate once you are recovering and if there are persistent symptoms, will be assessed on the day of donation to confirm eligibility.
Cold sore
You should wait until it is healing and for a few days after the pain has subsided before donating.
Sore throat
You can donate once you are recovering. If you required antibiotics you must wait 7 days from completing the course.
Measles, mumps, chickenpox, shingles, rubella
You can donate if it has been more than 2 weeks since recovery.
Influenza
You can donate if it has been more than 2 weeks since recovery.
Antibiotics
You should not donate if taking antibiotics. You must wait at least 7 days from completing antibiotics before donating.
Diarrhoea and/or vomiting
You can donate if it has been more than 2 weeks since recovery, (you must not donate if Diarrhoea is due to Inflammatory bowel disease).
We also ask you to contact us if you develop diarrhoea and/or vomiting in the 2 weeks after donating. FREECALL 08085 534 669.
You can donate if you have:
Diabetes
Provided you have not had any diabetic related complications, and any oral medication you are taking has not been changed in type or dose in the last 4 weeks. You cannot donate if you are taking insulin.
High blood pressure
Provided you have not had any complications, and any medication you are taking has not been changed in type or dose in the last 4 weeks.
High cholesterol
Provided you have not had any complications.
Genetic Haemochromatosis
Blood from Genetic Haemochromatosis (GH) patients can be used for transfusion to patients. GH patients must meet the same selection rules as apply to other blood donors. GH patients wishing to donate their blood can attend the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS) following a referral from their supervising consultant. For more information please see our guidance on haemochromatosis.
You can not donate if you have:
Heart disease
Chronic lung disease
You can donate if you have asthma provided you have no symptoms at the time of donation and you do not require high doses of anti-asthma medication.
Stroke and Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
A ‘mini-stroke’
Epilepsy
Or other central nervous system disease.
Cancer
Even if you had this a long time ago.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis.
Autoimmune disease
(e.g. Rheumatoid arthritis, SLE – systemic lupus erythematous) if you have required treatment to suppress the condition in the last 12 months. Painkilling drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy such as physiotherapy are not considered treatments to suppress the condition.
The taking of some medication may make a donor ineligible. In most circumstances it is the condition that medication is being taken for, rather than the medication itself, that will lead to deferral.
Antibiotics
You must wait at least 7 days from completing antibiotics before donation.
Contraceptive use
You can donate if taking contraceptives.
Hormone replacement therapy
If you are on treatment for the menopause, its symptoms, or for osteoporosis prevention you can donate.
Blood pressure
You can donate provided your medication has not been changed in type or dose in the last 4 weeks. You must also not have had any complications of your condition.
Cholesterol medication
You can donate while on medication, if you have Heart Disease or other complications of high cholesterol you can not donate.
Tablets for diabetes
You can donate provided your medication has not been changed in type or dose in the last 4 weeks. You should not donate if you are on insulin or have had any diabetic related complications.
Weight loss Medications
Donors taking weight loss medication may be accepted to donate if all of the following criteria are met:
• The medication is not in itself a reason for deferral
• The donor does not have significant side effects
• Any injectable medication has been prescribed for the donor by a UK or RoI registered prescriber and obtained from a licensed source
• The donor is not sharing medication vials, pens or injection equipment
Anti-depressants and anti-anxiolytics
Medication for anxiety, depression or bipolar disorder does not exclude you as a donor provided your condition is stable.
Painkillers
The reason for taking painkillers will be assessed by our staff. If you are otherwise fit to donate, we can accept you as a donor. The blood of anyone who has taken medication in the last 7 days that can interfere with platelet function (e.g. aspirin, plavix, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) can be used for red cells but may not be suitable for platelets.
Anticoagulant therapy
You should not donate if receiving anticoagulant treatment. (e.g. warfarin, rivaroxaban, apixaban and others).
Commenced a new Medication
If you have started a new medication, you may have to wait 8 weeks if started thyroxine and 4 weeks if started a new medication for blood pressure and diabetes before you are eligible to donate.
Filling, scale and polish
Wait 24 hours before donating.
Extraction, root canal treatment, dental capping (crown)
Wait 7 days before donating.
Dental surgery involving tissue (bone) graft
You must not donate if you have received an allogeneic (donor) human tissue/bone graft.
If tissue/product used was from an animal (non-human) or non-biological source, performed within the UK and ROI, you should be able to donate. You may wish to contact us to discuss this further – please see telephone numbers below.
If you are unsure about the source of the product/tissue used, please check with your dentist.
You must not donate if:
- All wounds are not healed.
- There is any infection, or you have been on antibiotics within the last 7 days
- It is less than 3 months since any invasive dental treatment outside of the UK and ROI.
- You are receiving, or waiting for, treatment for periodontal gum disease.
Major Surgery
You should not donate if you have had any surgical procedure within the last 6 months resulting in an inability to return to normal activities of daily living (e.g. routine housework, previous employment and/or driving).
Minor Surgery
For minor surgery you must wait at least 7 days before donating.
Endoscopy
You should not donate if you have had any flexible endoscopic procedure (e.g. flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, OGD) within the last 4 months.
If the examination has been carried out with a rigid endoscope (e.g. colposcopies, most arthroscopes & laproscopies) and you are well and not waiting for further tests or results, you should be able to donate.
Upcoming surgery
You should not donate if you are waiting for surgery that is likely to require transfusion or you are having surgery for any serious medical condition.
For the most up to date information, please search under country name at this link: Geographical Disease Risk Index
Malaria
If you have visited any malarial area please wait for 12 months after your return before donating blood. If you have ever been resident in a malarial area for 6 months or more, and at least 6 months have passed since leaving the area, we can offer you a test for malarial antibody. If it is negative you may then donate. If you have had malaria diagnosed in the past you may donate if:
It is 3 years since completing anti-malarial therapy and
All symptoms caused by malaria have resolved and
Our test for malarial antibody is negative
West Nile Virus
West Nile virus (WNV) is a flavivirus, which causes a wide spectrum of infection. This may range from no or minimal symptoms to death. It is geographically widespread, including North America and areas in Europe. It has caused illness and death post transfusion and post transplantation of tissues and organs. It is spread by mosquitoes and so is more prevalent at times of the year when mosquitoes are active. West Nile Virus endemic areas include:
Europe: Croatia, France, Monaco, Greece and Greek Islands, Hungary, Israel, Italy including Sardinia and Sicily, Kosovo, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Romania, parts of Russia, Serbia, Turkey
Africa: Algeria, Tunisia
America: all regions of the USA except Hawaii, Alaska and US Virgin Islands
Canada: all regions
Please note that areas affected by WNV may change on a frequent basis. For the most up to date information, please search under country name at this link: Geographical Disease Risk Index If you have travelled to a WNV area between 1st May and 30th November provided you have neither symptoms or evidence of infection you can donate 28 days after you return to Northern Ireland.
Chagas Disease (South American Trypanosomiasis)
Chagas disease is caused by infection with a protozoal parasite, trypanosoma cruzi. It is a persistent infection that is known to be transmitted by transfusion. The insect that passes the infection on is only common in rural areas. It is very common in parts of South or Central America and is often symptomless. You must not donate if:
You were born in South or Central America, or your mother was born in South or Central America. However in these cases we can offer a T.cruzi antibody test.
You have lived and/or worked in rural subsistence farming communities in these countries for a continuous period of 4 weeks or more
We may be able to accept you as a donor if at least 6 months have passed following the date of last exposure, provided a test for T.cruzi antibody is negative. Short term trips such as camping or trekking in the jungle in South or Central America are usually not considered of high enough risk to warrant exclusion.
You should not donate if you have had a tattoo, ear or body piercing, or permanent and semi-permanent make-up within the last 4 months.
Acupuncture
If you have had acupuncture performed by NHS staff or outside the NHS by a Qualified Health Care Professional, you can donate.
If you were treated by someone who was not a registered Health Care Professional, you’ll have to wait 4 months before you can donate.
You should not donate if you are pregnant or less than 6 months have passed since delivery or pregnancy.
During pregnancy a woman loses a considerable amount of iron.
It is important to allow time for this lost iron to be replaced through diet.
You should NEVER give blood if:
- You think you need a test for HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis
- You are HIV positive or HTLV positive
- You are a Hepatitis B or C carrier
- You have ever had, or been treated for, Syphilis
- You have ever injected yourself with drugs, even a long time ago or only once. This includes body-building drugs and injectable tanning agents. You may be able to give if a doctor prescribed the drugs, please ask.
You must not give blood if, in the past 2 years, you have:
- Received an injection for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
You must not give blood if, in the past 3 months, you have:
- had sex with anyone who has had syphilis, gonorrhea, hepatitis, or anyone who is HIV positive
- received money or drugs for sex
- had sex with anyone who has ever been given money or drugs for sex
- taken part in Chemsex (Chemsex is described as sexual activity, often in groups, under the influence of stimulant drugs, excluding alcohol or Viagra, to enhance sexual experience). This applies to all sexual contact
- taken oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) / Truvada for prevention of HIV, or taken or been prescribed oral Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for prevention of HIV.
If you answered no to all of the questions above, you may be able to give blood if you meet our other eligibility criteria. In addition, you will also be asked whether, over the last three months, you have:
- had sex with a new partner, or had sex with more than one partner?
If you answer yes to this question, you will then be asked if you had anal sex with any of your sexual partners.
If you have, you will not be able to donate for three months.
If you have not, you will be able to donate (subject to all other eligibility criteria).
If you received a blood transfusion before 1996, and you have not been tested for hepatitis C virus (HCV) by a healthcare provider since, we advise you to speak with your GP to arrange testing. This is one of the recommendations made following the Infected Blood Inquiry (2024). Full details can be found at: https://www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk/reports/inquiry-report
You should not donate if you have received, or think you may have received a blood transfusion anywhere in the world since January 1st 1980. This also applies to any human tissue you may have received from another individual (dura mater grafts, corneal and scleral tissue grafts, human pituitary derived extracts) This was introduced in 2004 as one of the measures to reduce the risk of variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (vCJD).
You should not donate if diagnosed with any form of CJD, or you have had two or more blood relatives develop a prion-associated disease.
A donor must not donate if waiting for investigation or the results of investigations for an undiagnosed condition which might lead to deferral.
You can donate for ‘routine’ investigations, such as:
- attending for a cervical smear, mammogram, or a well person clinic when no abnormality is expected
- or for the routine monitoring of a condition, such as diabetes controlled by diet or oral medication, which of itself would not be a cause for deferral.
Endoscopy
You should not donate if you have had any flexible endoscopic procedure (e.g. flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, OGD) within the last 4 months.
If the examination has been carried out with a rigid endoscope (e.g. colposcopies, most arthroscopes & laproscopies) and you are well and not waiting for further tests or results, you should be able to donate.
Blood Donation and Cervical Screening Review
Women who are involved in the Routine Cervical Screening Programme, where concerns have been raised about performance in some steps of the laboratory’s screening system in the Southern Health & Social Care Trust , remain eligible to donate blood, providing they fulfil all other criteria on the day of donation, unless they are called for further investigations following a positive HPV test and/or an abnormal smear test result. This is based on The Joint United Kingdom (UK) Blood Transfusion and Tissue Transplantation Services Professional Advisory Committee (JPAC) guidelines on Cervical Dysplasia at jpac.org.uk, where Women can donate if having only regular review of smears.
Donors are asked in the questionnaire about recent investigations; if they answer yes, further questions are asked to explore the reason for these investigations in order to determine their eligibility.
Live immunisations
If you have received a live immunisation for smallpox, you must not donate if:
• it is less than 8 weeks from administration
• and/or the inoculation site has not healed
If you have received a live immunisation other than smallpox (e.g. BCG, MMR, oral polio, Dengue), you must not donate if:
• it is less than 4 weeks from administration
• and/or the inoculation site has not healed
Non-live immunisations
If you have received a vaccination for Hepatitis A (HAV), Hepatitis B, or Japanese Encephalitis (JEV):
• you must wait at least 14 days before donating.
For all other non-live vaccinations, including influenza (‘flu’) vaccination and COVID-19 Vaccination/booster:
• if you are well on the day, and you have not been exposed to the virus, you can donate.
Tetanus vaccinationIf you were not exposed but given tetanus vaccination as a precautionary measure, you can donate if you are well on the day of donation
A hazardous activity is something that may put either the donor or others at high risk of serious injury or death if the donor were to suffer a delayed faint following donation.
Hazardous Occupations examples include but are not limited to –
- Air traffic controllers
- Crane or heavy machine operators
- Fire crew
- Large goods vehicle drivers
Hazardous Hobbies examples include –
- Climbing
- Diving
- Motor sport
- Parachuting
You must not donate if you are required to undertake a hazardous activity following donation on the same day.
You must not donate if you are known to be positive for:
- HIV
- Hepatitis
- Human T-cell lymphotropic virus (HTLV)
- Malaria Please see the travel section for more information.
- Current Sexually transmitted disease
(e.g. chlamydia, genital herpes, and syphilis). Note many donors with treated syphilis will persistently test positive to the screening tests, even if treated many years ago. Therefore, if you have ever had syphilis unfortunately you will not be able to donate.