First patients with inherited blood disorders to get world-first NHS test to curb transfusion side effects
From Monday 22nd January 2024 , thousands of people with sickle cell disorder and thalassaemia in England will have access a world-first ‘blood matching’ genetic test on the NHS to better match their future blood transfusions, reducing the risk of side effects and offering more personalised care.
The NHS becomes the first healthcare system in the world to provide a new blood group genotyping test which is set to transform care for patients living with sickle cell disorder and thalassaemia, with almost 18,000 people in England now being eligible.
The tests will be carried out at NHSBT’s Molecular Diagnostics department in Bristol.