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National policies, factsheets and patient information

Published on 13 November 2024

Our transfusion practitioners work with a multidisciplinary team, including medical, lab and nursing staff, to develop and update policies and guidelines covering transfusion issues.

Leaflets available

We are aware that the ‘Receiving a Blood Transfusion’ patient information leaflet has passed its validity date. This resource is currently under review by the UK and Ireland Blood Transfusion Network's Patient Information Leaflet Working Group. The leaflet remains suitable for use.

We will provide an update once the review is complete.

We apologise for any inconvenience. If you have any questions, please contact us at nss.snbtstransfusionteam@nhs.scot

Further translations of Patient Information Leaflets can be found on the JPAC website

If you require a hardcopy please contact your local Transfusion Practitioner.

Policies, documents and guidelines developed

Examples of the policies we produce include:

  • clinical transfusion policy
  • special requirements guidelines
  • major haemorrhage policy (both adult and paediatric practice)
  • refusal of blood policy
  • emergency blood management arrangements policy

You can find policies for your area on your local health board intranet site.

Policies, documents and guidelines available

  • National Transfusion Record
  • O Positive to O Negative fact sheet
  • Emergency Blood Management Arrangements

Policies, documents and guidelines in development

  • Clinical Transfusion Policy

Future developments

  • Special Requirement guidelines
  • Refusal of Blood policy

Our sources

When developing our policies and guidelines, we refer to a range of UK sources to be developed utilising information from the following sources

British Standards of Haematology (BSH) guidelines

Expert consultants and clinical scientists write BSH guidelines.

They provide up-to-date evidence-based guidance on the diagnosis and treatment of haematological diseases.

Find out more on the BSH website.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines

NICE provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care.

Current legislation means this guidance officially applies only to England. However, agreements are in place to provide certain NICE products and services to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Decisions on how NICE guidance is applied are made by the devolved administration in each country.

Find out more on the NICE website.

Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) recommendations

SHOT, the UK’s independent, professionally led, confidential serious hazards of transfusion enquiry service, provides authoritative data to inform policy in blood transfusion.

SHOT supports the production of clinical guidelines in blood transfusion.

Find out more on the SHOT website.

Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO)

SaBTO advises UK ministers and health departments on the most appropriate ways to ensure the safety of blood, cells, tissues and organs for transfusion and transplantation.

Find out more on the GOV.UK website.

Informed and valid consent for transfusion is necessary for all patients. Find attached an overall summary of the recommendations here.

Find the full recommendations on the GOV.UK website.