Petition · past parliament
Retain local anaesthesia, prior to donation, for those blood donors who need it.
Closed
29 signatures
What the petition asks
Donating blood is, generally, pain-free but for some it can be very painful. Anaesthesia is available for those donors who need it but
from April 2017 it will no longer be available.
In my own case, I was advised never to give blood without anaesthetic after an incident at a donor session.
from April 2017 it will no longer be available.
In my own case, I was advised never to give blood without anaesthetic after an incident at a donor session.
Blood & Transplant make the point that their Donor Carers have excellent needle skills and that B&T have developed various distraction and coping techniques to enable donors to donate without anaesthesia.
For those who simply have a fear of needles, this is an excellent step forward. For those whose anatomy makes donation a complicated, prolonged and painful experience such techniques will be of little use.
The withdrawal of Lidocaine will only save the NHS about £30,000 per year
For those who simply have a fear of needles, this is an excellent step forward. For those whose anatomy makes donation a complicated, prolonged and painful experience such techniques will be of little use.
The withdrawal of Lidocaine will only save the NHS about £30,000 per year
Timeline
| 8 Mar 2017 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 2 May 2017 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
29
Status
Closed
Opened
8 Mar 2017
Closed
2 May 2017
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.