Blood transfusion deaths are not just a historic tragedy, they are on the rise (HSJ, 10 June 2025)

Summary

A year after the Infected Blood Inquiry’s final report, serious transfusion risks persist. Trusts must act now to improve safety, reduce waste, and address inequality, warns Cheng Hock Toh in this HSJ article.

In May 2024, the UK Infected Blood Inquiry (IBI) published its final report into the devastating failures that led to approximately 30,000 people in the UK being infected with HIV or hepatitis C through transfused blood and blood products. This tragedy has so far claimed more than 3,000 lives. One year on, the UK government has formally accepted all 12 of the report’s recommendations, either in full or in principle.

Although rigorous testing has made blood itself safer, serious risks around transfusion practice remain. The government rightly acknowledges that more must be done to prevent future harm. There are already troubling signs, and trusts and commissioners must act urgently to assess and improve the quality, safety, and equity of blood transfusion care across the system.