Donating Blood on Lanzarote

Last year, Spain lifted the rule that prevented anyone who had spent more than six months in the UK between 1980 and 1996 from donating blood. We went to the Dr José Molina Orosa Hospital to try and leave a deposit.

The “British blood ban” followed the outbreak of vCJD (mad cow disease) in the UK in the late 90s, and as this disease could not be screened for, and may remain undetected for several years, it remained in place for over 25 years.

Now, however, several countries have revised their regulations, and will allow donors who spent time in the UK to give blood. This is fortunate, as there is currently a shortage of blood throughout the Canaries, which has occasionally led to postponed operations.

To give blood, you can book an appointment on 928 595 572 (option 3) or just turn up at the Blood Bank (Banco de Sangre) at the Dr José Molina Orosa Hospital in Arrecife between 8.30 am and 1-2 pm (we’d advise arriving later in the morning, as parking can be difficult earlier on when scores of people turn up for blood extractions) . You’ll need to go into the outpatients’ department at the back of the hospital, and if you have an appointment, tap your NIE into one of the reception machines that will confirm you have arrived.

Although the hospital at Arrecife can be a bit of a maze, the Blood Bank is not hard to find, as there are large red strips on the floor with DONA SANGRE (Give Blood) written on them. These lead you to the stairs, and directly to the Blood Bank on the 2nd floor (British people should remember that the Ground Floor is the 1st Floor in Spain.)

Wait at the desk and an assistant will ask you to fill a digital online form. This is in Spanish, and includes questions about current medication, recent journeys abroad, any surgery you’ve had and other matters.

Once you’ve filled it in, the assistant will ask you to sign a consent form and a standard data protection form, on which you can choose to receive emails from the hospital and even birthday greetings. Shortly afterwards, a doctor will take you through to a private room, take your blood pressure and may ask more questions about the form you’ve just filled in. If all goes well, 450 mls (a pint) of blood will be extracted.

WHO CANNOT GIVE BLOOD

While the ban has been lifted on those who spent time in the UK, there are still several categories of people who cannot give blood. If you are pregnant, have recently suffered from flu, or have a history of heart failure, diabetes or cancer treatment, you’re likely to be turned down – this is for your own good, rather than recipients. If you’ve had a tattoo or piercing in the last six months, you’ll also be turned away.