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Important information for all patients who have received an unexpected blood transfusion.

Note: This page should be read alongside the NHS Blood and Transplant patient information leaflet ‘Receiving a Blood Transfusion’.

While you were receiving treatment, it was necessary for you to receive a blood transfusion.

A transfusion is given when it is necessary and only after careful consideration of the risks of transfusion balanced against the risk of not having one.

There are many reasons why patients may need a transfusion, some of which are discussed in the ‘Receiving a Blood Transfusion’ page.

However, please ask a member of your healthcare team about why you needed a blood transfusion. They will be able to answer any questions you may have.

Are blood transfusions safe?

Blood transfusions are common procedures that can save and improve lives, and death due to transfusion is extremely rare. Most patients who receive a blood transfusion experience no complications or problems.

More information about any potential infection risks, and all the measures that are taken to ensure your safety, is included in the leaflet ‘Receiving a Blood Transfusion’.

I’m a blood donor. Can I still donate?

No. As a precautionary measure to reduce the risk of transmitting variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD), people who have received a blood transfusion since 1980 are not currently able to donate blood.

Do I need to tell my GP?

The hospital should include information in the discharge letter to your GP to tell them that you have had a blood transfusion, and to explain why it was carried out. The hospital should give you a copy of this letter; if they don’t, you can ask the hospital for a copy.

Additional information

If you are interested in finding out more about blood transfusion and have access to the internet, you may find the following websites useful:

This information was prepared by NHS Blood and Transplant in collaboration with the National Blood Transfusion Committee.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) saves and improves lives by providing a safe, reliable and efficient supply of blood and associated services to the NHS in England. We are the organ donor organisation for the UK and are responsible for matching and allocating donated organs. We rely on thousands of members of the public who voluntarily donate their blood, organs, tissues and stem cells.

Contact us 

By email to: PBM.team@nhsbt.nhs.uk 
By phone: 01865 381010 

Or contact your local Transfusion Practitioner Team on 0300 6136532

Copied with permission from the National Health Service Blood and Transplants (NHSBT) Patient Information Leaflet – Unexpected Blood Transfusion

Contact us

If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Haematology (blood) service.

About this information

Service:
Haematology (blood)

Reference:
BT/001

Approval date:
22 October 2026

Review date:
1 October 2027

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Important note 

This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.