About the National Blood Service

The National Blood Service is not to be confused with the National Health Service.

We are an integral part of the NHS, and we guarantee to deliver blood, blood components, blood products and tissues from our 15 blood centres to anywhere in England and North Wales.

Naturally, we also ensure that the blood we supply is properly screened and is safe for patients. Every year we collect, test, process, store and issue 2.1 million blood donations. We depend entirely on voluntary donations from the general public, and try to encourage our existing donors to give three times a year. (It's amazing what the promise of a free cup of tea and some biscuits will do...)

But we also have a number of other functions. Such as continually carrying out new research into improving the safety of blood. And new ways it can be used to help save more lives.

We also provide specialist medical advice and clinical support to hospitals, as well as educating and training transfusion medicine specialists. It's a huge undertaking. But we're dedicated to keeping Britain's blood supply moving.

Our core purpose
To save and improve patients' lives.

Our mission
We will deliver world-class services, building ever stronger partnerships with donors and the healthcare community

Our values
We value people

We listen and communicate clearly
We strive to meet the needs of all our customers
We recognise the achievements of others


We trust people

To work to the highest possible standards of safety and quality
To take responsibility for solving problems
To embrace change for the better


We encourage people

To be creative and innovative
To work together to get things right
To enjoy themselves and celebrate success.