Effective governance saves lives. Safe and appropriate transfusion depends on clear accountability, strong clinical leadership, and unwavering board-level commitment. Effective governance is not optional—it is essential.
Hospitals must ensure oversight structures are in place, with transfusion safety embedded in quality and risk systems. From ward and laboratory to board, support for safe transfusion must be visible, proactive, and consistent. Boards have a duty to champion safe blood use, monitor performance, and facilitate continuous improvement. When governance works, patients are protected, teams are empowered, and standards are upheld.
As part of the work related to implementation of recommendation 7e from the Infected Blood Inquiry report, a framework for effective transfusion governance is being drafted as a key output from the subgroup with clinical and laboratory representatives from across UK. This is expected to be released later this year and will be promoted widely.
