Recommendation IBI-7b: Transfusion 2024 Review Progress
From Infected Blood Inquiry Final Report, published 20 May 2024.
Recommendation
Review of progress towards the Transfusion 2024 recommendations:
Progress in implementation of the Transfusion 2024 recommendations be reviewed, and next steps be determined and promulgated; and that in Scotland the 5 year plan is reviewed in or before 2027 with a view to determining next steps. The responsibility for this in England is that of NHS England, shared with the National Blood Transfusion Committee, the Royal Colleges (as appropriate), and NHSBT.
In brief (written by this site)
In March 2026, Dr Lorna McLintock of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service reported, in minutes published by the Scottish Government, that progressing a Scotland-wide transfusion strategy was paused while a new Chief Executive for Public Services Delivery Scotland is onboarded (Dr Lorna McLintock, Mar 2026). Earlier, in May 2025, the UK Government accepted the recommendation in principle, stating that progress against Transfusion 2024 had been reviewed by NHS England and NHS Blood and Transplant, with a full report expected in early 2025/26 to inform a wider Transfusion Transformation Strategy (Cabinet Office response, May 2025). The government noted that substantial funding would be required to design and deliver the transformation programme (Cabinet Office response, May 2025).
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 26 Sep 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
Government response
These recommendations are accepted in principle by the UK Government, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, and the Northern Ireland Executive. Recommendation 7b) is accepted in full by the Scottish Government. Parts of these recommendations are being taken forward on a UK wide basis. Progress against Transfusion 2024 recommendations has been initially reviewed jointly by NHS England and NHSBT and a wider four nations stakeholder review is being scheduled. The draft report was discussed with key stakeholders at the end of November 2024 with further input underway in April/May 2025, and finalisation of the full report during the first quarter of 2025/26. Key aspects have been incorporated into the Transfusion Transformation Strategy (TTS). The TTS is focusing on the next 5-10 years, amalgamating progress, learnings and future ambition in this area. Sub-recommendations from the working group on recommendation 7 are expected to be incorporated into the TTS, to provide a coherent future forward implementation plan for blood transfusion practices. This includes the potential creation of a National Blood Transfusion Board to improve national governance and delivery oversight across the complex system. Substantial funding will be required to design and deliver a transfusion transformation programme.
Delivery
Scottish Government says in progress (24 March 2026)
In relation to recommendation 7(b), Lorna reported that there is an internal SNBTS transfusion plan. It was agreed at the previous OAG that any Scotland-wide transfusion strategy should be progressed via Board Chief Executive Officers (CEOs). This is currently paused while a new Chief Executive for Public Services Delivery Scotland is onboarded.
From: Infected Blood Inquiry Report Oversight and Assurance Group minutes: March 2026, Dr Lorna McLintock
Site note: Scottish Government record (minutes of its Infected Blood Oversight and Assurance Group). It covers Scotland only and is not the UK position.
Site note: The minutes are the Scottish Government's record, in reported speech, of what was said at the meeting of 24 March 2026; this entry records Lorna McLintock of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS). The row is dated to the meeting; the minutes were published on 29 May 2026.
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- UK Government
Response - Scottish Government
Delivery statement