B1 - Updates

Transfusion Laboratory Safety CS1 - The Transfusion Training Hub - The Transfusion Training Hub (TTH) went live, on this website, on April 2024. Since its launch it has seen an average of 2000 views per month. Primarily developed for biomedical scientists, various other healthcare professionals including Transfusion Practitioners and nurses have accessed it. Content has also broadened to be inclusive for donors and patients. 

The T2024 team also won an award for best abstract from SHOT, in July 2024!

Results - To evaluate the impact of the TTH—and to determine whether it addresses a recommendation from the UKTLC 2022 Survey to increase access to self-directed learning, aimed at improving transfusion knowledge and supporting laboratory training—we conducted an impact assessment survey between July 25 and October 25, receiving 70 responses.

Survey highlights

• The responses were positive, receiving an overall rating of 4.24/5 stars for a training resource.
• 86% say we have achieved/partially achieved better access to self-directed learning​
• 67% said it had improved their own/their staff self-directed learning​
• Resources could be found 94% of the time​
• 44% had found new resources or enrolled onto a course
• 84% had included or considered including the hub in their departmental training plans
• 50% had forwarded resources onto a colleague

All results can be found attached below. 

Spreading the word! - The T2024 team have been busy promoting this useful resource, with various poster presentations (see attached).

Project S2 - Review of transfusion content in undergraduate provision - In January 2024, a survey was developed, with the help of University lecturers Alex Liversidge and Martin Maley, and then circulated via IBMS to all lecturers responsible for delivering transfusion content on IBMS accredited undergraduate Biomedical Science degree courses. Results were collated, analysed and recommendations were drawn. A summary sheet of the findings was developed and circulated as a thank you for all respondents who completed the survey.

Results - 37 out of a possible 53 universities responded (70% response rate). Please see attached findings and summary sheet. Contact Jill Caulfield (jill.caulfield@nhsbt.nhs.uk) for further information.

Ongoing work - A working group has been established, with representation from NHSBT, 17 UK universities and the IBMS, to develop a support package to supplement transfusion science teaching in BSc Biomedical Science degree courses. Development of six e-learning modules began in October 2025. The modules will include foundational transfusion science content, designed to compliment transfusion lectures. They will be scenario based, incorporating the importance of patient safety as well as the vital role Biomedical scientists play in their care. Watch this space...

Spreading the word! - In November 2025, we were invited to present at the Joint UK NEQAS BTLP and BBTS Blood Bank Technology SIG Annual Meeting to discuss this project and its exciting developments. The presentation is attached.

Project S1 - Training and knowledge needs/gap analysis - The survey was circulated to hospital laboratory staff in October 2023. Results were collated, analysed and recommendations were drawn. A summary sheet of the findings was developed and circulated as a thank you for all respondents who completed the survey.

Results - 158 individual responses from 64 hospitals (45 trusts). Please see completed results and summary sheet. Contact Jill Caulfield (jill.caulfield@nhsbt.nhs.uk) for further information.

October 2023 - A survey was circulated to hospital laboratory staff to gain an understanding of what the current knowledge gaps are within laboratories, what barriers exist to prevent laboratory staff from accessing or attending training currently offered and what would be the preferred method of delivery and duration for training. 

158 responses were received and analysed.