Do Something Amazing- Give Blood

noonesperfect

It's amazing how accurate their guesses are too!

As Torbrex says, if they'd any doubts about your weight they would check. The last thing they want is people fainting.

Nothing to do with blood donation, but many years ago we were choosing a new bed and as there was such a difference in weight between me and my then husband we decided to go for one of those zip together mattress beds. The salesman had my weight to the pound - was I embarrassed ? :eek: :eek: :eek: (and I was about 2 stones lighter then!!!!)

I'm cheesed off as technically I could go this month, but because there aren't any local (within 10 mile radius) session appointments available I've got to wait until March to go again.:mad:

Chaz1

Thank you for all the advice - this is such an important thing to do, x

torbrex

Another donation today, the first of what I hope will be a more productive year, I am hoping to make 13 donations this year, I have never achieved this target as something always happens and I end up having to miss an appointment but I keep trying. I think the best I have done is 9 or 10, I will need to check.

The staff were telling me that they have been well short of the target figures for the whole blood sessions over the festive period with some of the walk in sessions barely reaching half the target.

So come on peeps, there is nothing to it and you will get free tea and biccies.

StevieJ

Used to be great for a kip and coffee and bickies, they now have been stung by the productivity bee and push you through as quick as possible :eek:

noonesperfect

It's true they don't let you lie down for long after you've donated (unless you need to of course). But they don't rush you out of the door afterwards either.
I usually take my time over the drinks and biccies instead! (at least one cold and one hot one) plus a packet of bourbons usually :rolleyes: . I need that time to regain my equilibrium!

Bob63

StevieJ wrote: »

Used to be great for a kip and coffee and bickies, they now have been stung by the productivity bee

....and the money bee too. Although we give blood freely, the NHS internal market means that NBS, rather than be centrally funded, gets its funding for blood collection and processing by charging other NHS establishments for the blood and components that they use. Current charges made by NBS for red cells are around £140/unit and platelets around £220/unit (although I may be a little out on that figure). Transport for emergency/ad-hoc deliveries is another £50. The NBS is run like a business and that leads to efficiency pressures which can affect staff morale and in small ways be seen by patients. I am in no way advocating that blood donors should be paid - freely donated blood is one of the best ways of ensuring quality as people are giving for the right reason, not because they need the money - I just think that internal markets are nonsense which lead to more administrators being hired than frontline medical staff or lab staff.

miopiccolokoala

To me, being able to give blood is such a privilege!
I've always wanted to, and would be gutted if I had to stop for health reasons. It makes me feel like I can make a difference and do something worthwhile for others. And, who knows, one day I might find myself to be on the receiving end...

B+

torbrex

cheesy.mike wrote: »

....and the money bee too. Although we give blood freely, the NHS internal market means that NBS, rather than be centrally funded, gets its funding for blood collection and processing by charging other NHS establishments for the blood and components that they use. Current charges made by NBS for red cells are around £140/unit and platelets around £220/unit (although I may be a little out on that figure). Transport for emergency/ad-hoc deliveries is another £50. The NBS is run like a business and that leads to efficiency pressures which can affect staff morale and in small ways be seen by patients. I am in no way advocating that blood donors should be paid - freely donated blood is one of the best ways of ensuring quality as people are giving for the right reason, not because they need the money - I just think that internal markets are nonsense which lead to more administrators being hired than frontline medical staff or lab staff.

If I thought about things like that too much, I would probably stop going.
All I know is that I turn up at the appointed hour, they stick me with a needle, the blood comes out, they take the needle out an hour and a half later and I go away. What they do with the blood is not my concern and never will be.

noonesperfect

miopiccolokoala wrote: »

To me, being able to give blood is such a privilege!
I've always wanted to, and would be gutted if I had to stop for health reasons. It makes me feel like I can make a difference and do something worthwhile for others. And, who knows, one day I might find myself to be on the receiving end...

B+

Hear! Hear!

ditto blood group too

binnie

Thanks to all that give blood. My mum has been making use of it lately as she as Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and needs blood transfusions, platelets etc.
Last week she got told she was in remission, but still needs some more chemo to blast the remaining leukemic cells away.
She will probably need a blood top up too, so thanks to you all.
xxxx