Independent report

Patient consent for blood transfusion

Report of the work undertaken by the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues, and Organs (SaBTO)

• From: Department of Health and Social Care
• Published: 21 October 2011

This publication was withdrawn on 17 December 2020

This publication was withdrawn on 17 December 2020. It has been replaced by a newer version: Guidelines from the expert advisory committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) on patient consent for blood transfusion.

Applies to England

Documents

Report: Patient consent for blood transfusion

PDF, 167 KB, 8 pages

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Details

It is an accepted principle that a patient should give valid consent before receiving medical treatment, and this includes when they receive a blood transfusion. Audits show there is wide variation in consent practice around the country. This led SaBTO to consider the issue of patient consent for a blood transfusion, and between March and May 2010 they held a public consultation.

This is the report of the work undertaken by SaBTO, in particular the consultation; and includes the resulting recommendations made by SaBTO as an independent advisory body. DH has not mandated the recommendations, and it is for the NHS locally to decide on implementation. A number of organisations working within the NHS are already taking the work forward.

A link is provided to the Better Blood Transfusion Toolkit website.  Further information will be found there, in the Patient and public involvement section, on the work to implement the recommendations, including resources to support Trusts in reviewing and updating their practice on consent for a blood transfusion.

• Better Blood Transfusion toolkit (opens new window)

Published 21 October 2011