A study to improve blood donor experiences on session has now been completed

19 January 2026

A study to improve blood donor experiences on session has now been completed, with results published in a medical journal.

The STRategies to Improve Donor ExperienceS (STRIDES) study took place between 2019 and 2022.

To support the study, we made small changes to the donation process, including:

  • The leaflets you read before you donate
  • The drink you are offered in the waiting area
  • The advice you are given during and after your donation


The aim was to see if these changes made donation even safer for the donor, by reducing the risk that someone might faint.

The research has now been published in The Lancet Haematology and it shows the extra changes did not make a difference.

This rigorous study means we know we're not missing out on making any of these changes.

And we won't accidentally waste money by introducing them when they won't make a difference.

The findings from STRIDES are thanks to the hard work and dedication of the study team, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), our blood donors who were public involvement members and the research team.

Susan Mehenny, an NHSBT blood donation change manager who worked on STRIDES, said:

"This is a major research achievement and the first published study of its kind. It's reassuring to know that the care we currently give is effective at keeping our donors safe. We're grateful to our blood donors and thankful for the hard work of our blood donation staff, especially as this research was largely carried out during the COVID pandemic."