Databank. Blood donors

Databank

Blood donors

Each year the National Blood Service collects blood from around two million people and in 1999 it provided nearly 2.9 million units of blood to over 300 hospitals in England. Health Minister Lord Philip Hunt said that he could not overstate the valuable contribution blood donors make to society. Blood is vital to the survival of thousands of NHS patients every year, in particular those with cancer, those needing surgery and people with severe injuries following accidents. For many of these patients the blood given by donors represents the difference between life and death. Modernisation of the service has led to an improved service for donors including less time waiting to give blood, more flexible opening hours for donations and new equipment and facilities.