Nhs Blood Donation

Yesterday I attended my long awaited lie-down-for-a-nice-rest-while-someone-br ings-me-biscuits appointment. Being the school holidays I had to bring my darling cherubs along with me but they were under strict instructions not to look up from their books and certainly not bother mummy during 'lying down time'. They were hampered slightly in their silent contemplation by the nurses being sweet to them and giving them crisps and biscuits, which I am sure they only scoffed to be polite. And so to me. Once on my spacious tippy-backy chair and instructed not to move I was informed I would be giving a double platelets donation today - more time for blissful leisurely lounging - how super. A wonderful nurse brought me hot coffee and ginger nuts and we watched 'Escape to the Country'. Both of us agreed that the couple really should have bought the second property and it was all the husbands fault with his stupid shed ideas. Nevertheless, the wife probably had some secret money stashed away and good luck to her. I digress. The staff and facilities are always absolutely brilliant at this place and are completely dedicated to the job of taking blood and platelets and saving lives. Wonderful people. Shame I couldn't leave the kids there but nowhere is perfect.

Was my 1st Platelet donation.

Staff made me completely at ease and explained all aspects of the process.

Was served a meal and drink while sitting (well Digestives and Orange Juice) which was greatly appreciated.

Enjoyed it so much I've booked to go back again in July and August.

This restaurant is quite unusual; you have to book months in advance, but when you get there it never seems to be too busy...



The service is excellent, the staff are extremely attentive and you get to have a bit of a lie down before you eat, which is a nice touch - they do pop a little needle in to your arm whilst you are relaxing but this sounds much worse than it actually is, you don't really notice it once it's in.



Once you've finished lying down, you get moved over to your table, if truth be told, the food choices are pretty much limited to crisps and biscuits, though there are a good variety of drinks on offer to compensate, but the best thing is that they never charge you a penny.



I'll definitely be back.

The staff are just the best. Very professional but always make time for you and make you feel welcome. A relaxing way to start the day.

Staff are lovely, always put you at your ease...they take a pint of your finest but then happily let you munch your way through crisps, cheddars, biscuits (of all varieties) AND Club ones mint & orange flavour (decisions decisions!!). Plus the coffee is really good. Free stickers on your way out too...what more can you want?!!

My first donation. Can't praise the staff highly enough. I wasn't too worried anyway but they made the procedure seem so easy.

No pain involved, just 3 slight jabby feelings. All over in less than ten minutes.

Unfortunately I whitied shortly after the donation was completed so unsure if will be invited back.

I wasn't allowed tea as my first time but I enjoyed the picnic atmosphere and consumed copious amounts of biscuits, pop and crisps afterwards.

Everyone who is able should visit regularly :-)

Lovely, warm, friendly staff-particularly Mark and Michelle. All the staff seemed to enjoy working here.

It was my 1st time giving blood yesterday and the people who work there are really nice and friendly and I will definitely go back and it's a nice thing to do to give blood and hope it can save a life

I, along with my sister have organised several blood drives at this amazing centre over the last couple of years. We have also attended events organised by the blood centre and spoken to raise awareness of the importance of blood donation, since my gorgeous little niece was diagnosed at 21 months with a brain tumour (thankfully now cancer free but we continue to campaign and organise blood drives to encourage more donors to come forward).

Each and every staff member we have come across at the centre go above and beyond,

and always greet us with such a warm welcome. We love hosting our blood drives at Newcastle Donor centre, we have got to know many of the staff there and they are so lovely, put us at ease and always have a good laugh to take the nerves away!

Thanks to Dianne for the blanket tonight when I gave blood, as I was freezing � she nearly didn’t get it back! X

We can’t wait to host the next one! Xx

I've been donating blood now for about 8 years after my daughter was hospitalised and received numerous pints of blood, I find the experience to be very comfortable and all the staff are always very nice and polite, I would urge people to take half an hour out of their lives whether busy or not and give a donation particularly this time of the year when blood stocks are low.

I will always choose to go here to donate blood! The staff are so friendly and make you feel at ease. The environment is tidy and you are taken good care of. I've been to other places and not felt so good about giving blood. Although there is often a wait to book an appointment and I have to drive a little while to get there there's still no place better!

I haven't donated for a few years due to a bad experience at one of the pop up community clinics .. it put me right off going back and brought back the fear I had previously had of donating blood ( got to 6) ... but today I went to the donation centre to give my 7th blood donation and the nurse who dealt with me Danielle was AMAZING ... she put me right at ease and was so patient and kind and deserves to be highly praised for her professional , caring and kind manner ..( which was what was lacking at my last donation ) .. what a wonderful team you have here I will be a lot more relaxed walking into to my next appointment ... Thank You xx

I gave blood for the first time yesterday and it was such an easy experience. The staff were lush: really caring and knowledgeable and totally put me at ease. I'm scared of blood and needles and they reassured me so much. The process was quick and easy thanks to the staff - I'm definitely going to become a regular donor!

Have been giving blood for a number of years and stopped after a while because of a bad experience at one of the outside clinics, but being a rare blood group thought I'd like to try again. Have to say this is the nicest place I have ever given blood, it is so relaxed and friendly compared to the outside clinics. You are welcomed from start to finish, staff are all lovely and friendly and have a chat all the way through donation. I will definitely be attending here when I am due to donate again.

First time giving blood this morning, all staff were so friendly and made me feel 100% welcome! Nice clean facilities and easy to get an appointment.

Easy location and staff are very welcoming and professional. It was my 2nd donation yesterday and the whole process is quick. Had a cuppa and custard creams after with a bit natter with another donor too. Ready to book in for no.3.

Arrived early for my appointment. Only waited 5 mins, very pleasant nurse went through all the admin. Found a good vein, nice pleasant chat, 10 mins later drinking tea and eating a mint club biscuit. My 24th donation, see it as my public duty �� if you haven't been you should go.

Amazing staff, who always take time to talk and have a laugh even though they’re so busy. Relaxed ,always spotlessly clean and the best tea and biscuits around! Always happy to come and donate my blood/platelets

Always a great time making my Blood Platelet Donation + all the staff are really great . I hope everyone will take time out + consider becoming a Blood Donor or a Platelet Donor . It only takes a bit of time + as the saying goes you never know what's round the corner + one day you may need some yourself , Cheers , Fred .