Blood transfusion has been made safer and more efficient for NHS patients, thanks to a partnership between NHS Blood and Transplant and the National Blood Transfusion Committee.
Together, the partnership reduced blood use by 20%, saving 12,000 units of the most important blood type – O negative - and helping end the ‘Amber Alert’ national shortage.
This work has now been recognised by the Royal College of Pathologists, winning the ‘Partnership Working’ award at its annual award dinner on Wednesday 17th June 2026.
Professor Cheng-Hock Toh, Chair of the NBTC and Lise Estcourt, Medical Director, Transfusion, NHSBT accepting the award on Wednesday 17th June 2026
The partnership has produced even more benefits.
- It improved the use of a drug that reduces bleeding in surgery - tranexamic acid.
- Created England's first blood wastage database, now integrated into Model Health to support transparent benchmarking across NHS Trusts.
- Supported a genomic matching programme to give patients with sickle cell disease better-matched blood.
This work directly supports the Infected Blood Inquiry’s call for stronger oversight, traceability, and accountability.
It reduced blood demand, strengthened patient safety, and improved resilience during a period of significant pressure.
Prof Cheng-Hock Toh, chair of the National Blood Transfusion Committee, said: “We accept this award in celebration of the extraordinary chain of humanity that connects donor to patient.
“Blood is a precious gift and good practice is what protects it — building resilience in blood stocks and delivering real benefit for patients across the NHS."