Transfusion 2024 Review Progress

UK Government

Progress against Transfusion 2024 recommendations has been initially reviewed jointly by NHS England and NHSBT and a wider four nations stakeholder review is being scheduled. The draft report was discussed with key stakeholders at the end of November 2024 with further input underway in April/May 2025, and finalisation of the full report during the first quarter of 2025/26. Key aspects have been incorporated into the Transfusion Transformation Strategy (TTS).

The TTS is focusing on the next 5-10 years, amalgamating progress, learnings and future ambition in this area. Sub-recommendations from the working group on recommendation 7 are expected to be incorporated into the TTS, to provide a coherent future forward implementation plan for blood transfusion practices. This includes the potential creation of a National Blood Transfusion Board to improve national governance and delivery oversight across the complex system. Substantial funding will be required to design and deliver a transfusion transformation programme.

Scottish Government

In relation to 7b), the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) will update its five-year transfusion team plan by 2027 in line with recommendation 7b).

Welsh Government

In relation to 7b), Wales has a Blood Health Plan (BHP) which is regularly reviewed and updated. The Blood Health Plan is overseen by the Blood Health National Oversight Group (BHNOG). While separate from “Transfusion 2024” which applies to England, the BHNOG considers this and other initiatives in the UK when considering plans in Wales. The current BHP acknowledges the need to support the IBI recommendations and the BHNOG has performed a full workplan review, and produced recommendations to support implementation of the IBI recommendations within its remit (primarily recommendation 7). The recommendations have been accepted by the Welsh Government and the All Wales Medical Directors Group. The BHNOG has reviewed its ToR to improve clinical governance and ensure engagement with relevant clinical stakeholders to raise the profile of transfusion safety issues at a health board level and support local implementation.

Northern Ireland Executive

Transfusion 2024 is an NHS England document and was not adopted in Northern Ireland. The most recent transfusion strategy remains the 2011 Better Blood Transfusion 3 Northern Ireland (BBT 3 (NI)), but work is ongoing to update this strategy and produce a new NI Transfusion Strategy under the collaborative leadership of the NI Transfusion Committee (NITC) and NI Blood and Transfusion Service (NIBTS).

This strategy will provide a framework for optimising transfusion practice in Northern Ireland, and will cover all aspects of blood transfusion from donation, through laboratories, to clinical teams, and ultimately, patient safety. The overarching objectives are to ensure the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of blood and blood products, emphasising Patient Blood Management to reduce blood component use and ensuring safe and secure supply and education for clinicians. It will align with national and international best practices, and provide recommendations to benefit patients and the broader healthcare system.