To find out your blood group, a sample of your blood has to be taken and tested.
GPs do not check people’s blood groups, nor can they arrange for a test to be taken.
The only routine way to discover what your blood group is, is to donate blood. Appointments can be booked via their website, app, or by calling 0300 123 23 23. If you donate blood you will also be given an official donor card, which records your blood type, and is useful for emergencies.
The NHS otherwise will only test for a patient’s blood type before having an operation, receiving a blood transfusion, or if you are donating an organ for transplant, as to ensure a matching blood group.
If you’re pregnant it’s important to know if you’re rhesus negative or positive. Find out more about rhesus disease.