Milestone for life-saving Blood on Board project

15 April 2021

A life-saving project bringing blood transfusion to critically ill and injured people across the region has treated its 100th patient.

Blood on Board is a collaboration between North West Air Ambulance Charity (NWAA), Blood Bikes Manchester, the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) and Salford Royal’s Transfusion Service.

Each day, Blood Bikes Manchester transport packed red blood cells and pre-thawed plasma from Salford Royal to NWAA’s Barton base.

Blood products that are not used that day by the air ambulance team are safely returned to Salford Royal for use in the hospital, to ensure precious blood donations do not go to waste.

Deborah Seddon, Haematology and Blood Transfusion Service Manager at Salford, said: “When the project was first proposed we were keen to be involved in any way we could, as our team understands the dramatic role blood loss plays in survival of traumatic injuries and the difference that could be made if patients were able to access transfusions as early as possible.

"The Salford Royal Transfusion Service is committed to delivering safe, effective treatment, so we are incredibly proud to support the charity in this manner for the benefit of people all across the North West.”

Clint Jones, Consultant Anaesthetist at the North West Air Ambulance Charity, added: “A significant number of patients who sustain traumatic injuries that cause massive blood loss, sadly pass away before reaching hospital. By transfusing blood and plasma as early as possible, we are drastically improving the chances of survival for the most seriously ill and injured patients we treat.

“The charity is so proud to have reached this milestone. I would like to say a huge thank you to all of our partners who continue to make this possible and continue to support and champion our charity, including Blood Bikes and our colleagues in the NHS. The North West Air Ambulance Charity relies solely on donations to remain operational, and without the generosity of our sponsors and supporters, it would not be possible to deliver this lifesaving service.”

Since starting the “Blood on Board” project, the charity has recorded the following:

  • Since January 2019, 303 units of blood products have been administered by its enhanced pre-hospital care teams
  • On average, patients receiving pre-hospital transfusions receive 3 units (2 units of plasma and 1 unit of red blood cells)
  • The lifesaving intervention costs approximately £350 per patient
  • The average age of patients receiving a transfusion is 40 years, ranging from 10 to 84 years
  • The average time taken to manage blood transfusion at scene is 33 minutes.

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