§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many incidences there have been in NHS trusts of transfusions of the wrong type of blood to patients in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [110832]
§ Mr. DenhamIn 1997–98, the Serious Hazards of Transfusion scheme for the confidential audit of adverse transfusion incidents (SHOT) analysed 114 reports where a patient was transfused with an incorrect blood component. In 88 of these cases the patient survived with no ill effects, but two patients died and 20 patients suffered short term or continuing ill effects. Four patients were reported to have died from the underlying condition.
We have required NHS trusts to participate in SHOT, to ensure that hospitals transfusion committees are in place to oversee all aspects of blood transfusion, and to agree local transfusion protocols. We are determined to secure the highest standards across the country at all stages of the blood transfusion chain.