Recommendation IBI-7e: Implementing SHOT Reports
From Infected Blood Inquiry Final Report, published 20 May 2024.
Recommendation
Implementing SHOT reports:
That all NHS organisations across the UK have a mechanism in place for implementing recommendations of SHOT reports, which should be professionally mandated, and for monitoring such implementation.
In brief (written by this site)
The Scottish Government reported in November 2025 that it had issued a Director letter and monitoring spreadsheet regarding recommendation 7(e) to NHS Board Medical Directors in August 2025, requesting that boards return the completed template by February 2026 (The Scottish Government action log, Nov 2025). Earlier, the UK Government stated in May 2025 that work was underway to develop governance practices for implementing Serious Hazards of Transfusion recommendations (Cabinet Office response, May 2025). It added that accreditation for SHOT to issue patient safety alerts through the Central Alerting System remained under consideration and dependent on funding, while SHOT was developing safety standards for NHS provider organisations (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.
About this summary
This recommendation applies across many organisations. The record reflects central policy activity; adoption in individual organisations may vary.
Government response
Work is underway to develop governance practices for the implementation of SHOT recommendations, with careful consideration given to the needs for standardisations and the needs of local organisations. Accreditation for SHOT as an organisation for the use of the Central Alerting System is under consideration, which will allow the use of the web-based cascading system to issue patient safety alerts. This will streamline SHOT recommendation cascade and maximise the visibility of recommendations in Trusts, which is funding dependent. Furthermore, SHOT is developing safety standards to provide guidance for NHS provider organisations.
Delivery
Scottish Government says in progress (11 November 2025)
A Director letter and monitoring spreadsheet was issued on 13 August 2025 to Board Medical Directors on recommendation 7(e) on Serious Hazards of Transfusion (SHOT) standards. Boards were asked to complete the template and return to SG by February 2026.
From: Infected Blood Oversight and Assurance Group Minutes: November 2025
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 11 November 2025; this entry records the Scottish Government, on its own letter to NHS Boards. The row is dated to the meeting; the minutes were published on 15 December 2025.
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- UK Government
Response - Scottish Government
Delivery statement