NHS Blood and Transplant is collecting COVID-19 convalescent plasma for a major coronavirus treatment trial, and if the trial is successful, widespread use in hospitals.

Convalescent plasma is the antibody-rich plasma of people who have recovered from coronavirus, which can be transfused into people who are struggling to develop their own immune response.

NHSBT is leading the collection programme on behalf of the Government. NHSBT’s Clinical Trials Unit is collaborating with the REMAP-CAP and RECOVERY trials. The trials will investigate whether transfusions may improve a patient’s speed of recovery and chances of survival.

Convalescent plasma is being collected at NHSBT’s 23 donor centres around the country. NHSBT’s Liverpool donor centre is situated at 2 Moorfields, Liverpool, L2 2BS.

Anyone who has had coronavirus or the symptoms can offer to donate at a donor centre by calling 0300 123 23 23 or by going to: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/covid-19-research/plasma-programme/.

Donating plasma only takes about 45 minutes.

Your body usually replaces the plasma you’ve donated in 24-48 hours, and you can get on with your normal day after donating. Your body quickly replaces the antibodies and people can donate plasma as often as every two weeks.

Potential donors are being prioritised so there may be a delay in responding to some people. People who became more ill with COVID-19 are more likely to have high antibody levels. For this reason, men, people of middle age and over, and people from black and Asian communities, are priority potential donors.