SHOT is the UK’s professionally-led, independent national haemovigilance system that focuses on collecting and analysing data related to transfusion incidents, reactions, and near misses. This work is primarily aimed at supporting healthcare professionals and services to learn from events and improve the safety and quality of transfusion practice across the country.
We recognise the importance of every individual experience, and while patient perspectives help shape our understanding of safety risks, we are not able to investigate or respond to individual cases or complaints.
If your concerns relate specifically to the transfusion you received — for example, reactions, processes, or communication around the transfusion — we would encourage you to speak to your clinical team, as they can review your care and provide clinical insight.
There are additional options listed below:
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Each NHS hospital has a PALS team that can listen to your concerns, help resolve issues, and support communication with clinical teams. You can usually find their contact details on the hospital’s website
Formal NHS Complaints Process
If you feel your concerns were not resolved through PALS or local discussions, you have the right to make a formal complaint. More information about how to do this can be found here Feedback and complaints about NHS services
Independent Advocacy Services
If you need help understanding your rights or support through the complaints process, you may wish to contact your local independent NHS complaints advocacy service. These are often available through your local council or an independent charity such as Someone to speak up for you (advocate) NHS
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
While the CQC does not investigate individual complaints, it uses patient feedback to monitor the safety and quality of care in healthcare organisations. You can share your experience via Give feedback on care CQC
Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO)
If you have completed the NHS complaints process and remain dissatisfied, you may refer your complaint to Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Health Services Safety investigations Body (HSSIB)
The HSSIB investigate patient safety concerns across England to improve NHS care at a national level: Share a patient safety concern