NZBS is committed to making your donation safe and we have robust process in place. Below are some important information about Covid-19 and your blood donation.
By their very nature our donors are very caring and responsible people. Any donor unsure about their eligibility to donate is asked to call 0800 448 325 for further advice.
- Blood donation is an essential service.
- Our donor centres are safe places to visit and we are taking all necessary steps to ensure that stays the case.
- Blood has a short shelf life (35 days), so eligible individuals are asked to donate to help ensure an adequate blood supply can be maintained.
- All blood donors must be healthy, feeling well and free from respiratory illness symptoms to be eligible to give blood.
- All healthy blood donors are encouraged to book appointments and keep commitments to donate blood.
- If you do feel unwell, please reschedule or cancel your appointment. Please let us know, as we can try to fill your appointment space.
- Routine blood donor screening measures, which include travel deferrals, are already in place to ensure individuals who are unwell, or have recently travelled to high-risk countries are deferred from donating blood.
- We are deferring all blood donors who have travelled to ANY country in the world for 28 days following their return.
- By their very nature our donors are very caring and responsible people. Any donor at all unsure about their eligibility to donate is asked to call 0800 448 325 for further advice.
- There is no evidence that COVID-19 is transmissible by blood transfusion, and our strict screening process means we don’t allow people who are unwell to donate blood.
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DONOR CENTRES IMPLEMENT GRADUAL RETURN TO NORMAL
As the government announces zero active cases of COVID-19 in New Zealand for the first time since late February and an almost immediate transition into Alert Level 1, New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) donor centres and mobile blood drives will begin making specific changes to work processes while taking into account the safety of all operations.
“We would like to thank our amazing blood donors on their remarkable commitment to donate blood and help save lives through recent times of uncertainty”, says Asuka Burge, New Zealand Blood Service National Marketing and Communications Manager.
“While some changes will come into effect immediately, donor centres will be aligned with best practice in accordance with government recommendations at Level 1.
“Visitors, volunteers, and support people will now be welcomed back to donor centres (including mobile blood drives), and per government recommendations, contact tracing will be implemented at reception for all non-donors.
“We are experiencing pre-Covid-19 levels of demand for blood and blood products as hospitals come back up to normal capacity, so we are asking donors to book an appointment to donate blood in the coming weeks. Donors without appointments may be accepted but this will depend on how busy the donor centre or blood drive is and there is a chance donors without appointments will be turned away, so we encourage people to book appointments”
NZBS needs to collect over 3,500 donations every week to be able to meet demand.
- Donors will still be asked three COVID-19 related screening questions.
- Donor greeters will discontinue at all sites
- All donor volunteers are now back in donor centres around the country, and will be following strict COVID-19 protocols, including not coming into work if feeling the slightest bit unwell.
- At Alert Level 1 there is no requirement for physical distancing.
- Collection rooms will go back to their normal configuration.
- PPE is no longer required by collection staff.
- Masks will be available for donors should they wish to wear one.
- Regular cleaning activity will continue at all donor centres and mobile drives.
- While no longer essential, appointments are encouraged to help manage the flow of people in donor centres at any given time, allowing NZBS to forecast supply, ensuring it is collecting sufficient quantities of blood types and blood products,
- Donors are asked to use the NZBS app or call 0800 448 325 to find suitable available appointments and to book in June and July.
- NZBS is asking donors to let it know if they are unable to make an appointment – this allows the Service to rebook the appointment. All appointments are vitally important to maintaining the country’s blood stock levels.
- Plasma donors can donate every two weeks (appointments permitting). Those considering becoming a plasma donor should ask about it when they next donate whole blood https://www.nzblood.co.nz/give-blood/plasma/
For more information on donating blood during COVID-19 lockdown, visit https://www.nzblood.co.nz/give-blood/covid-19-updates/. Or to book an appointment to donate visit www.nzblood.co.nz or call 0800 448 325.
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New Zealand's Blood Stock Levels Remain Healthy
Essential stock levels can only be maintained if donors continue to book appointments to donate
New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) is sending a message of thanks to New Zealanders showing their support for blood donation during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Donors close to donor centres and mobile drives throughout New Zealand are continuing to make appointments to give blood. As a result, blood stocks are currently at a healthy level; with appointments very full for the next couple of weeks. However, New Zealand Blood Service National Marketing and Communications Manager Asuka Burge says this situation will only continue if New Zealanders continue donating.
“Despite the obvious and very real challenges we are currently facing, New Zealand blood donors continue to prove their generosity by making appointments to donate, and adhering to the strict health and safety precautions we have in place in our donor centres and mobile drives,” says Burge. “Even in these extraordinary and unprecedented times, New Zealanders in need of blood and blood products are still able to rely on the kindness of donors.”
- Blood stock levels currently remain at a healthy level
- NZBS is asking donors who don’t yet have appointments, to book into available appointments slots later in April to help spread out donations to ensure a constant flow of donors
- Red blood cells only last 35 days which is why donations are needed every week
- NZBS needs eligible donors who are fit and healthy to continue to donate during the Level 4 lockdown
- Donor centres and mobile drives are safe places to visit
- Travel to a nearby donor centre or mobile blood drive is considered essential travel
- NZBS is asking donors NOT to travel long distances to get to a donor centre or mobile drive
- NZBS is advising donors over 70 to follow the Ministry of Health guidelines and stay safe at home.
- Booking an appointment is essential. Appointments help manage the flow of people in donor centres at any given time, and allow NZBS to forecast supply, ensuring it is collecting sufficient quantities of blood types and blood products.
- Donors without an appointment may be turned away or asked to book for another time.
The need for blood is constant. There is no substitute for blood; blood donors save lives.
For more information on donating blood during the COVID-19 lockdown, visit https://www.nzblood.co.nz/give-blood/covid-19-updates/
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NZBS will continue to send out regular updates on blood stock levels during the Level 4 lockdown period.
About NZBS:
New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) is a not-for-profit Crown entity responsible for the collection, processing, testing and storage and distribution of all blood and blood products in New Zealand.
NZBS relies on voluntary and non-remunerated blood donations from individuals around the country in order to provide a constant supply of precious blood and blood products used by health services to save thousands of lives.
For more information please contact:
Asuka Burge, New Zealand Blood Service, 09 523 6486, 0272 726 437
Asuka.burge@nzblood.co.nz
Sandy Trigg, Network Communication, (09) 306 5811, 021 231 9406
Sandy.trigg@networkcommunication.co.nz
Released on behalf of New Zealand Blood Service by Network Communication
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As of Thursday 26th March we will be putting new processes in place to comply with Government guidelines and keep our donors and staff safe.
- One of our team will greet donors on arrival outside the donor centre to ask general health questions and manage the flow of donors.
- Where possible social distancing will be maintained for all our donors including in the reception area, waiting area, donor booths, and on the donor beds.
- Restrictions on the number of donors on site will be implemented.
- Alcohol hand sanitisers will be readily available throughout the donor floor and donors and staff will be expected to use these regularly.
- All equipment will be wiped down after EACH donation.
- All needles and bags are single use and will be disposed of in a hygienic manner.
- Protective gear such as gloves will be worn where necessary
- All shared areas and donor touched areas will be wiped down after use.
- We have implemented a daily checklist to ensure everything is sanitised before and after donations.
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- New travel deferral of 28 days (4 weeks) will apply to anyone who has returned from overseas.
- Travelling to donate blood is classified as essential travel
New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) has a dedicated working group of experts that includes medical staff and donor care teams who are closely monitoring global developments in relation to COVID-19 and advising on any specific actions required. NZBS has robust processes in place to ensure the safety of New Zealand’s blood supply and the health and well-being of our donors.
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