Policy responses and statements

Name of organisation:

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

Name of policy document:

Patient Consent for Blood Transfusion - A SaBTO Consultation

Deadline for response:

27 May 2010

Background: The Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) is an independent scientific advisory committee that advises Ministers of the UK Government and the Devolved Administrations, as well as UK Health Departments, on the most appropriate ways to ensure the safety of blood, cells, tissues and organs for transfusion/transplantation. Its remit includes providing independent advice on the microbiological safety of gametes and stem cells, in liaison with the relevant regulatory authorities; and risk management options for Ministers and UK Health Departments to consider.

The issue of consent for blood transfusion has been discussed on several occasions by SaBTO. Members agreed that it was important that they consult widely on the options for consent in blood transfusion and the potential operational challenges if written consent was mandated. The major concerns are that:

• Patients are not being given information on risks, benefits, and alternatives to transfusion, or the right to refuse transfusion;
• Patients may not be aware they have received a transfusion;
• Patients who receive blood may go on to donate blood, without realising that they should not;
• There is inconsistent practice across the UK.

The purpose of this consultation was to provide evidence for an advisory committee’s advice, and will not automatically result in a change to policy. This is not a formal DH consultation.

SaBTO invited the input of the College.

Download this consultation response as a .pdf

Copies of this response are available from:

Lesley Lockhart,
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh,
9 Queen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1JQ.

Tel: 0131 225 7324 ext 608
Fax: 0131 220 3939

[12 February 2010]