Transfusions: Reporting of Complications

HL Deb 10 October 2002 vol 639 cc29-30WA

Lord Clement-Jones

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are concerned by the under-reporting of adverse incidents associated with transfusions in the National Health Service as reported by the Serious Hazards of Transfusion report; and whether, in the interest of improving public safety, they will make the reporting of such incidents mandatory. [HL5765]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

The Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) reports provide a comprehensive picture of serious transfusion complications in the United Kingdom. The fifth annual SHOT report (published April 2002) showed an increase in participation to 92 per cent of eligible hospitals. Participation in the scheme has been encouraged by guidance to the National Health Service, most recently in HSC 2002/009—Better Blood Transfusion—Appropriate use of blood (http://www.doh.gov.uk/bbt2/009hsc2002). This asks chief executives of NHS trusts to ensure participation in the SHOT scheme by December 2002.