Consent Matters: How healthcare practitioners discuss and obtain consent for blood transfusion

As part of the Better Blood Transfusion Programme, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service has developed a questionnaire to examine how healthcare practitioners from the four UK Health Services and Health Service Ireland discuss and obtain consent for blood transfusion.

The questionnaire is targeted at consultants, haematologists, anaesthetists, registered nurses and other practitioners involved in the consent process. It covers a range of issues including:

• How consent is discussed and obtained
• Basis on which consent if required/attained
• Use of patient information in the consent process
• Consent for vulnerable patients
• Clinical governance
• Training and Education

The questionnaire is available to complete online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=p1rwjOW5noe2GvoNhAh9Og_3d_3d and has been disseminated in paper format through the UK Blood Transfusion Network. A published report will be produced to provide an up-to-date evidence base on current consent practice in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

If you would like more information this exciting project please contact:

Merredith Hart
Project Manager
Tel: 0131 536 5978
Email: merredith.hart@snbts.csa.scot.nhs.uk