Blood Transfusion
What does the Blood Transfusion Department do?
The department is open 24 hours a day all year round and below is a summary of the type of work covered by the department.
The department processes between 50,000 and 60,000 blood samples per year for patients who may require a blood transfusion. These requests come from wards, clinics and departments within the GHNHSFT, Primary Care and private hospitals.
The department prepares units of blood (red cells, fresh frozen plasma and platelets) for patients by ensuring that it is compatible with the patient’s blood group. The blood components have to be stored and transported according to strict regulations and laws. There are approximately 14000 blood transfusions per year in the Trust.
Intravenous immunoglobulin preparations are supplied by the department for patients with acquired or inherited immunodeficiency diseases.
The Transfusion Department performs antenatal testing and screening for pregnant women in order to prevent Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN). As part of this programme, Anti D immunoglobulin is provided by the department to patients who need it.
The department supplies products for patients with Coagulopathy (also sometimes referred to as clotting disorder and bleeding disorder).
Human Albumin Solution is supplied by the department for patients with certain types of liver disease.
The Trust is subject to inspections from the government led Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The MHRA liaises directly with the Transfusion Department to ensure that all laws and regulations surrounding blood transfusions are met by the Trust.
For more information
If you require information about blood transfusions, including the donation of blood, please visit the NHS Blood and Transplant website. For other information please follow the links below for external related information (external websites will open in a new browser window);