Geographical Coverage and Distribution Network

The Milk Bank @ Chester’s aim is to make donor milk available to all babies who need it wherever they are born. We are able to supply donor milk anywhere in England and Wales via a safe cost effective frozen courier service, please contact us for more information.

We have developed a network of satellites across the north of England to supply hospitals in their local area. We are supported by the many Blood Bike charities across the region who offer an amazing service distributing donor milk at short notice and free of charge. We currently distribute milk from:

Chester – milk is dispatched from the milk bank to hospitals throughout Wales, Cheshire, Staffordshire and Merseyside by volunteer drivers, Merseyside and Cheshire Blood Bikes, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire Blood Bikes and Blood Bikes Wales. Milk is dispatched nationwide via a frozen courier service including to hospitals in the south of England and can be sent anywhere in England and Wales.

Hull Satellite – based at Hull Royal Infirmary and managed by staff from the Neonatal Unit, milk is dispatched to hospitals in North and East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire by Blood Fast.

East Midlands Satellite  – based at Kings Mill Hospital and managed by staff from the Neonatal Unit, milk is dispatched to hospitals in East Midlands and South Yorkshire by East Midlands Freewheelers.

Preston Satellite – based at Royal Preston Hospital, milk is dispatched to hospitals in Cumbria and Lancashire by Lancashire and Lakes Blood Bikes who also manage the satellite.

Wythenshawe Satellite – based at the University Hospital of South Manchester at Wythenshawe and managed by staff from the Neonatal Unit, milk is dispatched to hospitals in Greater Manchester by Manchester Blood Bikes.

Donor Milk Satellites: Our strategy towards delivering a ‘Net Zero’ NHS

Donor milk satellites contribute towards the NHS Greener Agenda by reducing the miles travelled delivering milk. We recently presented a poster at the British Association of Perinatal Medicine conference “Donor Milk Satellites: Our strategy towards delivering a ‘Net Zero’ NHS” with support from colleagues at King’s Mill Neonatal Unit which showed the positive effect of opening a new depot at King’s Mill.

Could you host a milk satellite?

We are always looking for ways to make donor milk more accessible for hospitals so if your hospital would be interested in hosting a donor milk satellite we would love to hear from you. Hospitals hosting donor milk satellites have immediate access to donor milk when they need it.