Blood transfusion

Who will I see?

You will have a team of people looking after you. There will be doctors and nurses involved in giving you a blood transfusion.

If your healthcare team think you might need a blood transfusion, they should explain why you need it, how they will give it to you, and if there are any alternatives. They should also tell you about what this means for you in the future (for example, if you have had a blood transfusion you won't be able to donate blood). Your healthcare team should explain this before you have a transfusion, or after you have recovered if you need a transfusion unexpectedly (for example, if you have serious bleeding during an operation). Your healthcare team should encourage you to ask any questions you have about blood transfusions before and after you have a transfusion. These discussions should be written in your medical records.

To make sure you don't have any problems when having a blood transfusion (such as allergic reactions), your healthcare team should check your 'vital signs' (for example, your pulse, temperature and breathing rate) and how well you are before, during and after any transfusions you have. This should be done in a part of the hospital that has the staff needed to identify and treat any problems you have.

Your healthcare team should give you written information explaining any transfusions you have had and why you had them. This information could be included in the notes they give you when you leave hospital (your 'discharge summary'). They should also tell your GP you've had a transfusion.

If you're under 16, your parents or carers will usually be involved in your care. If you don't want your parents or carers involved and it's clear you understand all the information, you and your healthcare team can decide what care you should have.