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Blood doning appointments cancelled

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Grannyjacq1 Sat 24-Feb-24 19:21:45

Just wondered if any others had experienced inconvenient cancellations by the Blood Doning service? I'm an experienced donor (over 60 donations). A couple of weeks ago, having made an appointment for 9.30am, and having received regular reminders about how much my type of blood was needed and not to miss my appointment, I turned up at the appointed place at the appointed time, having received an additional text message at about 8.45am reminding me to eat breakfast and drink plenty of water. I turned up, drank my extra pint of water as instructed, and handed in my paperwork once they were ready, only to be told that I had been cancelled!! No medical reasons - just the fact that they were short-staffed, I think. So strange that they didn't take my blood (as I was there at the venue) and cancel someone with an appointment later in the day who they could notify before they set off to the venue. As you can imagine, I was very annoyed as I had cancelled all my other plans for that day. This wasn't the first time I have had a last minute cancellation, but it's usually before I've actually left home. Frequent stops needed on the way home too, to offload all the liquid I'd consumed!! I do realise that blood donors make a very important contribution, and like to 'do my bit' but feel that a more considerate attitude towards volunteers was needed in this situation. Maybe it's just my area of the country?

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Baggs Sat 24-Feb-24 19:37:53

Sometimes such buggerations can't be helped. Perhaps the fact of being short-staffed didn't become apparent until the last moment. Perhaps a member of the staff got held up.

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crazyH Sat 24-Feb-24 19:47:58

Well done to you Grannyjaq1 for being a Donor 👍

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keepingquiet Sat 24-Feb-24 19:57:17

Staff shortages everywhere. It is sad but a fact of life. I'm sure people would apologise for the oversight, but if there is no staff this is what happens.

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Mogsmaw Sat 24-Feb-24 20:12:37

I was told not to come back by our blood donation service.
I to am seasoned donator with over 60 donations. The main donation Center in Glasgow now has angled sort of chairs rather than the old beds. The beds had a step as they were quite high. Now you’re just expected to “jump ”. I asked for help getting down last time I donated. I just needed an elbow for support. I was told it wasn’t their job. I slid off, landed awkwardly and left in tears. It was made clear I was not to come back. The old steps were still there, just not for use.
A week later I received an “urgent” circular from them reminding me how low they were on my blood group.
I called to say this moral blackmail was the very essence of “adding insult to injury”.
I am gutted to be treated so shabbily, if they have no respect for their older volunteers they will find themselves increasingly “low on stocks”.

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downtoearth Sat 24-Feb-24 20:21:10

Have a friend who was due to donate his blood when they visited our small market town,appointment cancelled no reason given,East of England.

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Theexwife Sat 24-Feb-24 20:24:41

There is not much they could do about being short staffed, it was not deliberate on their part. Maybe there were more staff later in the day so did not want to cancel later appointments.

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